best educational gift for 8 year old boy

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• Gifts for babies and kids

The 38 Best Gifts for 8-Year-Olds

By Ellen Lee and Wirecutter Staff

At age 8, many kids are ready to level up to more-advanced toys and activities. A lot of 8-year-olds are playing team sports, getting involved in clubs or hobbies, and tackling increasingly challenging projects on their own.

Many engineering toys are recommended for kids ages 8 and older specifically because they have the dexterity to manipulate small pieces, the logic and reasoning skills to follow instructions, and the ability to focus on tasks for longer periods of time. Art supplies, craft kits, and creative games can also be a key part of the mix at this age, since many educational researchers have noted the importance of expanding STEM to STEAM , to include an emphasis on art, design, and humanities.

We relied on input from experts and members of our staff to find all kinds of gifts that are likely to engage and delight the 8-year-old in your life. We also offer more gift ideas for kids here .

A sticky challenge

Melissa & Doug Suspend Family Game

Players build a spindly structure by balancing metal rods—which can topple over at any time.

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My kids and their friends love pulling out this Melissa & Doug Suspend Family Game , an easy-to-learn and easy-to-set-up game that was also recommended by Lisa Regalla, head of on-site and digital experiences at the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito, California, at the time of our interview. Players take turns balancing thin, bent metal rods (which come in an assortment of colors and lengths; a roll of a die determines which rod a player must use) on a stand, creating a delicate wire sculpture. If you place too many rods at a precarious angle, the structure, or parts of it, comes crashing down—a satisfying end to the game.

How illustrative

How to Draw All the Things for Kids

This approachable book shows kids how to sketch 42 charming illustrations, such as a unicorn, a submarine, and a turtle.

As the saying goes, never judge a book by its cover. However, in the case of How to Draw All the Things for Kids , it’s probably safe to do just that. The inviting images on the front of this how-to guide prompted me to pick it up as a birthday gift for my son’s friend; once we heard it was a hit, we got our own copy. The author, Dallas-based visual artist Alli Koch , demonstrates how to draw various things (an astronaut, a butterfly, a strawberry) by breaking them down into their most basic, approachable steps. The resulting illustrations are streamlined and satisfying. (They’re also simple enough to allow room for individual embellishments.) I appreciate that the book is fairly short, with only 42 projects, so kids aren’t overwhelmed by trying to figure out what to draw. The series also includes books that show kids how to draw animals , magical things , and sea creatures .

Learn a new trick

Juggling for the Complete Klutz

This tried-and-true juggling set is great for beginners, with velour cubes that are easy to handle.

Juggling for the Complete Klutz —an instruction booklet, first published in 1977, accompanied by a set of three red beanbags—appeared under my family’s tree one year when I was a kid. My three younger brothers and I tossed the cube-shaped bags around for months until we became fairly proficient jugglers. To say that this set changed our lives would be an overstatement, but I’m proud to say that all four of us can still juggle. (To this day, my dad has hung on to our original set.) Klutz still makes the classic kit, which is recommended for ages 8 and older, and my 9-year-old is just gearing up to take on the challenge. The velour cubes are easy to grip, and the clear-cut instructions lay out the steps to successful juggling (the toss, the drop) with expertise and a dash of humor. Juggling is great for hand-eye coordination, but more than that, it’s one of those hard-won skills that help instill the joy—along with the inevitable frustration—of mastering something new. And it’s not a bad party trick, either.

Black heroes

Black Heroes: A Go Fish Card Game

In this beautifully illustrated take on Go Fish, each card features a historical or contemporary Black figure.

Black Heroes: A Go Fish Card Game is a 44-card game that introduces historical and contemporary Black figures across 11 categories: activism, art, exploration, fashion, film, literature, music, politics, science, space, and sports. Each card has the hero’s name at the top, a symbol representing the family the card belongs to, and a portrait of the person. Players trade cards and try to collect all four in a family. I love the excitement when my son recognizes key figures—like Serena Williams—and begs me to quiz him on James Baldwin’s birth year (1924). The deck also features under-discussed individuals, such as multimedia artist Faith Ringgold and Kenyan political activist Wangari Maathai , the first Black African woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize.

Paper folding art

Fun & Easy Origami Animals

This book comes with 20 origami sheets and instructions for making 19 creatures.

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By around age 8, kids have more dexterity and patience, making origami an entertaining and creative challenge. Fun and Easy Origami Animals , one of our favorite origami supplies , is a great kid-friendly book for beginners, offering illustrated step-by-step instructions for a penguin, bat, swan, and more. It also comes with 20 sheets of ready-to-fold paper. If you need more, we like the affordable Toyo 50 Colors Origami Paper , which is available in two sizes (we recommend the 9.4-inch sheets for those starting out).

Pom-pom projects

Klutz Mini Pom-Pom Pets

This craft kit lets kids make more than 20 adorable pom-pom critters.

My boys can’t get enough of cute little stuffies. So they were pretty excited to unwrap the Klutz Mini Pom-Pom Pets kit, which lets kids create their own diminutive animal friends from yarn pom-poms. My husband and I had to help with the first couple of critters, but the instructions are clear. And once the “body” is done—you wrap the included yarn around a fork to form a sort of ball, then clip the string loops, tie it off, and voilà!—the rest of the job, gluing on eyes and other features, is simple. The kids seemed to find satisfaction in envisioning and creating their own little bunny or chick, and one even gifted the resulting poofball to a friend who was going through a rough time. We liked the set with a variety of animals, but you can also focus on just pom-pom puppies or pom-pom kitties .

A speed cube

GAN 11 M Pro

This updated speed cube offers a smooth feel, adjustable tension, and a snappy magnetic core.

Rubik's Cube

This classic puzzle has solvers twisting, turning, and spinning the pieces until the colors match.

There are, apparently, 43,252,003,274,489,856,000 ways to spin a Rubik’s Cube , the legendary puzzle, invented in 1974, that continues to draw new fans to this day. YouTube videos of people solving it blindfolded (and underwater , while juggling , and on America’s Got Talent ) only add to the enduring allure. Know an avid puzzler with a need for speed? Consider taking things up a notch with the GAN 11 M Pro , our upgrade pick for the best speed cube . An expert kid puzzler I know who can solve it in under 45 seconds also gave it high marks (and recommends the smaller, easier GAN 251 V2 speed cube for novices). The GAN cubes have adjustable magnets, and you can twist the interlocking pieces at a dizzying pace.

An approachable intro to chess

Winning Moves Games No Stress Chess

The cards included with this simple chess set walk players through the rules and potential moves until they’re ready to navigate the board on their own.

The board game is cardboard; the pieces are lightweight plastic. The special thing about No Stress Chess is that one side of the board is marked to remind you where to put the pieces to set up a new game, and a deck of cards instructs you on which piece to move, in a sort of training-wheels approach to understanding the game well enough to eventually make your own choices. Of course, using the cards means that you miss out on much of the strategy, but when my son was suddenly interested in learning to play chess, I found that the method helped me to quickly teach him (and refamiliarize myself with) the pieces and the rules of how to navigate the board. After maybe a dozen games, we graduated to cardless play. (We also recommend Lakeshore’s The Chess Teacher , in our guide to gifts for grandparents , as a set for the two generations to play together.) The game is officially rated for ages 7 and up, but since the cards have diagrams as well as words, some pre-readers may be able to understand them. And as kids pick up the game, you can consider upgrading to one of our favorite chess sets .

Ultra-satisfying clay

Hey Clay Aliens

This air-drying-clay kit pairs with an app that walks kids through building jaunty, colorful alien figurines.

We also recommend Hey Clay in our gift guide for 6-year-olds . But we’ve found that our own kids can’t get enough of the stuff and that little kids who started out sculpting farm animals or birds may appreciate wackier aliens or monsters down the line. The molding mania begins with 18 cans of delightfully textured clay. Kids can either sculpt on their own or create figures with the help of a fun instructional app. Burgeoning sculptors learn useful techniques, such as how to introduce texture, and the clay dries completely in 24 hours, resulting in a figure that can be displayed or played with. Artistic-expansion opportunities aside, these kits are also excellent travel companions. One word of warning: Once the individual pots of clay are open, it’s a good idea to use up the contents within a couple of weeks. We’ve found that they dry out if left alone for much longer.

A book about differences

Different Differenter: An Activity Book About Skin Color

With thoughtful activities and prompts, this interactive book guides you through discussions about colorism and race.

Few books eloquently tackle the subject of race for kids while also offering something for adults. Different Differente r , by Jyoti Gupta, goes a step further, addressing a topic that, it turns out, is critical for kids to grasp before taking on racism: colorism. The beautifully illustrated Different Differenter introduces children—pictured with different skin colors, body types, and physical abilities—to terms such as melanin and genes, as well as cultural differences among families and family traditions. Because it’s also an activity book, it’s full of instructions on how to learn and interact with children on these topics through play. My then 5-year-old son often asked to make the book’s recipe for laddoo, a popular Indian dessert. My teen took on one of Different Differenter ’s more serious activities: making a one-minute anti-bullying video. Between its art activities and the theatrical prompts, this is a book that our family refers to often to kick off authentic conversations that are both warm and thoughtful.

A box for keepsakes

Singing Nightingale Treasure Box

Kids can store jewelry and other special treasures in this lovely musical box.

As my children age, they’ve begun to collect more special items that need safekeeping. The Singing Nightingale Treasure Box has two small compartments, one that opens at the top and a pull-out drawer at the bottom, which are great for hiding small mementos such as jewelry, little notes, or even random mini collectibles like special coins. This elevated jewelry box’s eye-catching artistic details also stand out—it almost looks as though each box is painted by hand. And a small gold crank in the back prompts the box to play a classic Italian folk song loudly and clearly.

Circuit construction

Elenco Snap Circuits Classic

Kids can use this circuitry kit’s color-coded pieces to build radios, alarms, doorbells, and other electronic gadgets.

E-Blox Circuit Blox Build Your Own Sound Machine & Radio

This circuitry kit includes wire blocks, switches, and other gizmos to make 120 electronic projects.

From a toy house that lights up to a working radio, the Elenco Snap Circuits Classic and E-Blox Circuit Blox Build Your Own Sound Machine & Radio building sets allow kids to explore the fundamentals of electronics and circuit design with easy-to-use pieces that snap together. The Snap Circuits Classic set, one of our recommended STEM toys , comes with basic components such as power sources, switches, and wires. The E-Blox Circuit Blox pieces are similar to Snap Circuits pieces but resemble—and are compatible with— Lego bricks . STEM education expert Elizabeth Gajdzik told us that she likes both sets for kids who are interested in exploring the basics of circuitry, though she found that the E-Blox pieces could be easier to manipulate for kids with a little less dexterity.

A storytelling game

Players of all ages can enjoy this simple storytelling game with its stunning art and open-ended structure.

My daughter came home from a friend’s house one day raving about “a bunny game.” The bunnies turned out to be from Dixit (players are represented by bunny-shaped game pieces), one of Wirecutter’s favorite board games for both kids and adults and a past winner of the Spiel des Jahres prize for general-audience games. Dixit players each receive six wordless cards that bear provocative and interesting illustrations (though my daughter and I noticed that the humans represented in those illustrations could be more diverse). In each round, a “lead player” chooses one of their cards and makes a short statement—a sentence, poem, story, song, even a single word—about what’s on it, without revealing what it is. The other players respond by selecting a card of their own that they think best fits with the statement, and then everyone votes on which card is the closest match. Rather than rewarding speed or dexterity, Dixit is all about creativity, provocation, and storytelling.

Balls that keep the game going after dark

GlowCity Light Up LED Basketball

Two motion-activated LED lights inside this basketball allow kids to keep shooting hoops after dark.

GlowCity Light Up LED Soccer Ball

This light-up soccer ball, available in multiple sizes, is ideal for evening play.

Even in places where winter nights are temperate enough to spend time outdoors, it can be tough for kids to play their favorite sports once the afternoons grow short. Backyard or driveway lighting helps, but it can still be difficult to see a ball well enough to avoid the occasional face shot. GlowCity’s Light Up LED Soccer Ball (available in regulation size and smaller) and Light Up LED Basketball solve this problem because they light up from the inside, allowing kids to keep the game going as late as they want to—or at least as late as you let them. The company also makes a football , but we haven’t tried it.

Bigger adventures ahead

REI Co-op Tarn 18

This versatile daypack has comfortable shoulder straps, an adjustable waist belt, ample room for water, and plenty of space for other assorted treasures collected along the way.

The durable REI Co-op Tarn 18 is one of the best hiking backpacks for kids , though my own kids have used it for a lot more than just camping trips and mountain trails. Our family has also put it into service on cross-country flights and loaded it up for playdates and park outings. And more recently it has even been put to use as my third-grader’s school bag. (We pulled the now-years-old pack from our gear closet particularly for its rows of daisy-chain loops, which are ideal for attaching an army of tiny stuffies to the outside of the bag.) The 18-liter bag, which also includes a built-in whistle and a slot for a water bladder, is best for kids about 8 and up and is likely to fit them well into their early teen years. (Smaller kids will do better with the REI Co-op Tarn 12 .)

Friendly reminders

Loopdedoo Friendship Bracelet Maker

This nifty loom turns vibrant threads into bracelets, headbands, and other accessories.

Friendship bracelets are a nostalgic craft that have made a big comeback. “It’s a nice gesture for kids to be able to give something that’s homemade and that lasts,” said Debbie Imperatore, manager and buyer of Funky Monkey Toys & Books . The Loopdedoo Friendship Bracelet Maker kit includes a spinning loom, which twists the included brightly colored threads into bracelets that, Imperatore said, are not like the ones you might remember braiding in the ’80s or ’90s. (The current loom is an updated version of the one we tested.) “It makes these gorgeous, multidimensional designs that are truly gift worthy,” Impertore said. In 10 minutes, kids can weave bracelets, headbands, necklaces, and other accessories into designs as simple or as intricate as they want, thanks to a set of online step-by-step Loopdedoo video tutorials .

Fabulous watercolors

Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolors 36-Color Set

The paints in this luxurious set dilute and mix like watercolors but have the rich vividness of acrylic paints.

Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolors represent a step up from most watercolors, and a set makes a special and likely unexpected gift for a kid (or an adult) who’s interested in graduating to next-level artistry. Made by a 117-year-old sumi-ink manufacturer in Nara, Japan, this set features an array of bright colors to experiment with, and the large pans and quick-dissolving formulation make the paints easy to use, even for kids.

Mac B., Kid Spy: The First Four Books

This series follows kid-spy Mac B. on his top-secret assignments for the Queen of England.

City Spies Classified Collection

Traveling everywhere from Paris to Beijing, five globe-trotting kids take on daring undercover assignments in this thrilling series.

The Spy School vs. SPYDER Collection

Humorously hapless Ben Ripley gets into all sorts of misadventures at the CIA Academy of Espionage.

Book series, with their compelling characters and familiar worlds, can do an especially good job of drawing kids in and getting them excited about reading. I witnessed this firsthand when my son was in the third grade and got hooked on the spy-kid genre—he would finish one series and then immediately move on to the next. Lucky for him, there’s no shortage of options. The premise is often the same: some variation on the theme of an otherwise totally ordinary elementary schooler getting plucked from obscurity and thrust into the high-stakes world of international espionage. But how the authors spin their yarns is where you’ll find the secret sauce. The Mac B., Kid Spy books by Mac Barnett feature clever humor and lively illustrations. The City Spies Classified Collection by James Ponti is moodier and more self-serious. With 10 books and counting, the Spy School series by Stuart Gibbs keeps the formula fresh by constantly switching up the setting (think Spy Ski School and Spy School British Invasion )—they all sounded slightly like campy ’80s movies to me, and they all kept my kiddo negotiating for a later bedtime.

An explosive experiment

National Geographic Earth Science Kit

This science kit shows you how to build and blow up a volcano, as well as conduct other experiments.

If you know a kid who wants to tackle the classic science project of exploding a volcano, we like the National Geographic Earth Science Kit . Like other volcano kits, it comes with a mold, plaster, and paint to make the volcano. Unlike other kits we tried, it also comes with “eruption powder A” (sodium bicarbonate) and “eruption powder B” (citric acid) to create the lava. (You can also combine baking soda and vinegar for a similar effect). This set includes additional science projects, such as crystal growing and a dig kit, as well as thorough instructions and a learning guide.

Finishing touches for projects

Kid Made Modern Arts and Crafts Library

This maximalist craft kit contains more than 1,000 googly eyes, beads, jewels, and other supplies.

Regardless of whether your kid is especially arty, the Kid Made Modern Arts and Crafts Library is an appealing toolkit for a wide array of creative endeavors. It’s the finishing touches like those found here—beads, stick-on jewels, pom-poms—that take a project from good to great. (We also recommend the 300-piece Kid Made Modern Rainbow Craft Kit in our guide to the best gifts for 7-year-olds .) And when the treasure trove begins to dwindle, the 10-by-16.5-inch cardboard box itself can serve as a space to store miscellaneous arts-and-crafts items your kid already owns.

A trip to the theater

TheaterWorksUSA Tickets

TheaterWorksUSA produces popular kid-focused musicals and plays that tour around the country.

A few years ago, my sister gave my son tickets to see Dog Man: The Musical , based on Dav Pilkey’s ridiculously popular series about a cop with a dog’s head and a human’s body. The production was good, cheeky fun, and I found it gratifying to see my son perk up to a spectacle unfolding IRL instead of on screen. But what I love most about this gift, and any gift of theater, is the built-in opportunity to spend time together. We had lunch beforehand and then talked about the show for days afterward: Which actor was funniest? Was Petey the cat more evil in the book or onstage? Many cities have terrific kid-focused playhouses (such as the New Victory Theater in New York) and play host to touring shows, including those supported by TheaterWorksUSA , which brought us Dog Man and produces a number of other kid-focused musicals featuring beloved characters and stories, such as Charlotte’s Web , Pete the Cat , and The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System. But options exist in small towns, too—nights out with my parents to see a local school production remain among my favorite childhood memories.

An invention kit from MIT

JoyLabz Makey Makey

This STEM kit can turn household objects into electronic devices—like a pumpkin keyboard.

Developed at the MIT Media Lab, Makey Makey is an “invention kit” that connects to a computer via USB and allows kids to turn household objects into a keyboard, a controller, or a touchpad. (If this is hard to visualize, check out this video or this project guide , which shows some of the things that kids can create with Makey Makey, including a banana piano and a Play-Doh gaming controller.) The possibilities are endless, which is why Makey Makey is recommended by Lisa Regalla, the head of on-site and digital experiences at the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito, California, at the time of our interview. “You can hook up fruits, vegetables, flowers, anything that mildly conducts electricity,” Regalla said.

Marvelous marbles

Ravensburger Gravitrax Starter Set

This elaborate marble-building set comes not only with tracks and junctions but also special pieces such as a magnetic cannon and marble vortex.

My then-8-year-old spotted this next-level, build-it-yourself marble run at a local toy store and requested it from his grandparents for the holidays that year. The toy, which has you stack and arrange plastic disks to build complex marble-racing routes, incorporates concepts of gravity, magnetics, and kinetics, and it feels far more refined overall than the taller, tubular plastic marble runs we encountered when my son was younger. (This GraviTrax set was one of the top picks in Inspire Research Institute’s past gift guides .) I’ve found that it’s the sort of thing he pulls out and focuses on for a few days and then doesn’t play with again until a number of months later. But each time my son rediscovers GraviTrax in the game closet, he seems ready to take his marble chutes to the next level of complexity.

A baller gift

Spikeball Standard 3 Ball Kit

This lawn game can be as active and competitive as players desire, involving everything from casual volleying to aggressive diving.

My sister has five kids, so finding a single gift that appeals to the whole lot has always been both a challenge and a moving target. The wildly physical Spikeball backyard game has been a hit with the entire crew, their friends (ages 8 and up), and parents. Spikeball is played a little like volleyball but with a much smaller ball and a net pulled taut over a mini-trampoline base (instead of stretched between poles). Two teams of two gather around the net, volleying the ball back and forth to one another before spiking it down onto the net at the other team. It’s fun and exhausting for all, yet it doesn’t take up a large amount of space in a backyard. This game is also easy to pack down for travel to the beach or park.

A super sled

L.L.Bean Polar Slider DLX Sled

This speedy plastic toboggan is comfortable, extremely durable, and easy to load into a car.

A favorite in our guide to the best sleds , this zippy, nimble, and long-lasting plastic toboggan is an impressive all-round sled. Because it can be steered, the Polar Slider DLX is suited to a greater variety of hills than the somewhat-faster snow tubes we recommend for wide-open, straight sledding hills (and in our guide to the best gifts for 6-year-olds ). Among the otherwise-flimsy plastic toboggans we’ve tested (some of which have shattered on the first day of testing ) this sled’s thick, flexible plastic stands out. Rider-friendly upgrades—including a grippy, lightly padded sitting area and a convenient pull strap—help to justify the higher price. Our only complaint is its small(ish) size: We managed to squeeze an adult and a kid (or two kids) into the 48-inch “extra large” size; the 36-inch version is definitely a one-person ride.

Sleek headphones that sound as they should

Puro Sound Labs BT2200-Plus

These comfortable, stylish headphones, which can work wirelessly or with a cord, limit volume to kid-safe levels.

Though a lot of headphones for kids claim to keep volume to safe levels for developing ears (under 85 decibels), many fail to actually do so. The Puro BT2200-Plus headphones, one of our picks in our guide to the best kids headphones , remain within safer listening levels when used properly—and were the favorite of all of our kid panelists. While other kids headphones are made of breakable cheap plastic, the BT2200-Plus set has a well-constructed aluminum frame. The Bluetooth connection lets kids use these headphones wirelessly or with a cord. (Puro also makes a version with active noise cancelling, called the PuroQuiets , which we also recommend.) The BT2200-Plus headphones come in a range of appealing colors, and they’re sleek and fun without looking like a toy.

A cozy comforter

Pottery Barn Kids Solar System Glow-in-the-Dark Duvet Cover

With patterns like glow-in-the-dark solar systems, Pottery Barn Kids’s comfy duvet covers are out of this world.

Utopia Bedding Quilted Comforter

This affordable comforter is fluffy, warm, and breathable.

If your 8-year-old is still sleeping with a comforter from their preschool days, they may be ready for an upgrade. Pottery Barn Kids duvet covers represent a nice middle ground between little-kid bedding and adult linens. The covers come in more than 50 colors, prints, and patterns , including glow-in-the-dark solar systems , Minecraft, and ballerinas. The more classic options, such as checkered, floral, or solids, could grow with a kid through their teenage years. Our family chose a pastel, watercolor-like rainbow print for three of our kids’ beds, and I’ve often remarked to my husband that the silky cotton fabric feels softer and finer than that of our own duvet cover. The Pottery Barn Kids covers have handy corner ties that attach to a comforter insert to keep it from shifting around. Pair your cover of choice with the inexpensive but ultra-fluffy Utopia Bedding Comforter Duvet Insert , Wirecutter’s pick for the best down-alternative comforter .

A doll to pass along

American Girl Truly Me Doll and Accessories

This popular line of 18-inch dolls comes in a range of skin tones, hair colors, and styles.

I can think of no single toy that I coveted more fiercely as a child than an American Girl doll . They were expensive then (around $80 in the early ’90s), and they’re still expensive now. (They’re also a pick in our guide to the best dolls .) But for my sister and me, they were a long-term investment in imagination and love, in more ways than I could have realized at the time. We cherished and played with our dolls through adolescence, amassing a collection of outfits and high-quality accessories. Years later, my stepmother rescued our dolls and their belongings from the attic and sent them off for a restorative stay at American Girl’s Doll Hospital . A quarter-century after we first got them, we presented the spiffed-up American Girls to my two daughters when they were right around the same age. They now love their dolls, just as I remember my sister and I having loved ours.

When I was a kid, American Girl offered just five dolls, each from a different time period. The company has since expanded that line of historically themed dolls , but nowadays it also has a much wider, more diverse, and more inclusive slate of dolls , allowing your child to choose one that looks like them. To my delight (and awe at the march of time), American Girl introduced a new historical doll in 2020: an ’80s girl named Courtney .

An easy read

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids (11th generation)

This e-reader is waterproof, has a two-year warranty, and comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+.

Some folks get skittish at the prospect of introducing an e-reader to kids, and I understand where they’re coming from: The last thing children need is another screen to suck them in, right? I was skeptical about buying one for my then-second-grade son, remembering how much I had loved the tactile delights of real books when I was growing up, and wanting the same for him. But after a year and a half of regular use, I can happily report, the benefits of my son’s Kindle far outweigh the sacrifices. (We have an earlier model, but the Kindle Paperwhite Kids is waterproof, offers adjustable light, and is a variant on Wirecutter’s upgrade pick for the best e-reader ). Two of the obvious perks—as adult e-reader converts can attest to—are the convenience (an unlimited library that’s lightweight and portable) and the long-term cost-effectiveness (thousands of titles are included with a monthly $5 subscription to Amazon Kids+ for Amazon Prime members). I also appreciate how low-fi the whole experience feels: Unlike tablets, with their videos and apps and untold rabbit holes, the Kindle serves up only black-and-white words on a page. And I’ve noticed that as soon as my son finishes a book on his Kindle, he rushes to find the next one—the rare example of a kiddo’s desire for instant gratification having a healthy by-product.

A lunar landing pad

Lego City Lunar Research Base 60350

This 800-piece Lego set includes everything necessary to live and work on the moon, including a research lab, a rover, and even a tiny microscope.

The Lego City Lunar Research Base set imagines life on the moon, from a moon buggy for getting around to a habitat with sleeping quarters and a tiny garden. One of our favorite Lego sets for kids , it comes with large pieces for easy construction, as well as small pieces that add charm and fun details, such as a petri dish and beaker for the lab. Six brave Lego figurines live on the base (and come with the set). The set is also compatible with Lego’s other space-exploration playsets; it includes a docking point for the Lunar Roving Vehicle .

A fun first smartwatch

Verizon Gizmo Watch 3

Kids can call, text, and video-call up to 20 designated people with this smartwatch.

Verizon’s Gizmo Watch 3 is a fun smartphone alternative for kids who are ready to venture out on their own a bit—it’s a pick in our guide to choosing the best first smartwatch for your kid . The Gizmo Watch 3 can make phone calls, send simple preset text messages (such as “Where are you?”), and produce silly fart sounds, in addition to telling the time. It’s a tool that allows school-age kids to communicate simply but easily with their parents or other caregivers, potentially contributing to their own growing independence. It also uses GPS to track a kid’s location, which parents can see on a smartphone app; this feature may help some people feel better about their kids’ first solo ventures.

Crash landing

Skil-Care Crash Pad

This large, squishy foam pad is great for belly flops, roughhousing, and lounging.

The Skil-Care Crash Pad is like a supersize beanbag, except that it’s filled with ultra-absorbent pieces of foam, and rather than encouraging kids to chill out, it practically begs them to summon their inner Hollywood stunt double. An occupational-therapist mom friend first told me about the Crash Pad; she keeps a bunch of them in her office gym for pint-size patients to gleefully topple into. My son primarily uses the cushion for doing epic belly-flops, horseplaying with his friends, and (way less frequently) curling up to read. We keep it in his room, and when my husband and I do our nightly bedtime rounds, we both make a beeline for it—this pad may be the most comfortable spot in the house. It comes with a nonnegotiable royal-blue nylon cover. (Note: I like the extra-large, 35-pound, 5-by-5-foot model because it provides a lot of runway for shenanigans, but it’s definitely huge. Skil-Care also makes a more scaled-down, 3-by-4-foot version.)

Take them out to the ball game

Tickets to a professional or collegiate sports game (price varies)

Eating cotton candy may have been my son’s favorite part of going to baseball games, but he still loves reminiscing about all the games he’s been to with his dad. Taking a kid to a live sports event can be a special shared experience, whether they’re witnessing a series-winning home run or cheering for a breakaway shot. And it doesn’t have to be a high-profile game: For an 8-year-old, a minor-league hockey game can be just as fun and memorable as the Stanley Cup playoffs. (Your closest pro team’s website should have a link to its minor-league affiliate, or you can search for the minor-league affiliates by sport, such as baseball .) You could also check to see whether any professional soccer games, women’s basketball games, or ultimate tournaments are hosted in your area. If you have your heart set on tickets to a matchup that will be on the front of the sports page, keep in mind that the “nosebleed seats” are less expensive and may actually deliver a more relaxed experience. Yes, you might have to catch some of the action on the Jumbotron, but if your kid gets tired or overwhelmed by the noise of the crowd or the blaring music (as my son has in the past), you won’t feel as bad about leaving early.

This article was edited by Kalee Thompson.

Meet your guides

Ellen Lee is a senior staff writer covering baby and kid gear for Wirecutter. Her work has also appeared in The Atlantic, BBC, and Real Simple, and she was previously a staff writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. She is also the author of the (ADJECTIVE) Lunar New Year Mad Libs book. (We’re hoping you filled in the blank with “hilarious.”)

Wirecutter Staff

Mentioned above

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• We spent 20 hours researching nearly 50 board games for kids. Read on to find out our favorite games for preschoolers, elementary-school kids, and families. Board Games We Love for Kids and Families  
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Further reading

The 38 Best Gifts for 3-Year-Olds

by Caitlin Giddings and Wirecutter Staff

Open-ended toys that inspire role-playing and beginner board games that encourage cooperation make great gifts for 3-year-olds.

The 36 Best Gifts for 2-Year-Olds

Many 2-year-olds are learning to manipulate objects in more-precise ways, so look for toys and gifts that challenge their fine motor skills.

The 33 Best Gifts for 5-Year-Olds

by Kelly Glass, Caitlin Giddings, and Wirecutter Staff

Gifts that tap into art, science, sports, or construction are often great choices for 5-year-olds, since many of them are developing personal interests.

The 30 Best Gifts for Coffee Lovers

by Mari Uyehara and Samantha Schoech

We recommend kettles, grinders, carafes, and cups for your favorite caffeine fiend.

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The 25 Best Gifts For 8-Year-Old Boys To Really Thrill Them

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Finding the best gifts for 8-year-old boys means shopping for a discerning crowd. They’re no longer little kids but aren’t quite tweens. They might still play with toys but also gravitate toward video games, sports and maybe even coveted clothing like a particular pair of sneakers. With that, buying a present for someone in this age group can be intimidating. The best gift ideas for 8-year-old boys acknowledge their personal interests and kick things up a notch, giving them something that allows them to explore their hobbies even more.

We've gathered up our best gift ideas for 8-year-old boys just in time for the holidays, from STEM ... [+] toys to sports gear.

“Eight is a really fun age,” says Robert Keder , a pediatrician who specializes in developmental behavior at Connecticut Children's Medical Center. “Kids really come into their own with personal interests and love to explore what they can be good at doing. It is important to know what they are into and meet them where they are: Are they a sports kid? A science kid? A superhero kid? A builder or crafty kid?”

Just try to focus on the kid himself. “No one toy is great for all 8-year-old boys,” says Daniel Ganjian , a pediatrician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. “You have to know the boy and, if you don’t know him well, ask the parents what he’s into. You definitely want to get things that suit their liking.”

With that in mind, find some of our best gifts for 8-year-old boys across a range of interests. No matter which 8-year-old you’re shopping for, you’re bound to find something that’ll be a hit in the mix. (While you’re at it, check out our lists of the best toys for 8-year-olds and the best educational toys .

The Best Subscription Boxes For Kids, From Book Clubs To STEM Kits

Can ai help your baby sleep maxi-cosi’s kindred collection says yes, best gifts for 8-year-old boys at a glance.

• Best STEM Gifts For 8-Year-Old Boys : Lego Technic Monster Jam Grave Digger , Clixo Mars Rover Pack
• Best Active Gifts For 8-Year-Old Boys : Razor A2 Kick Scooter , Sno-Storm Foam Sleds , Swagtron Swagboard Twist Hoverboard
• Best Game Gifts For 8-Year-Old Boys : Kids Against Maturity , Soccer Trading Cards
• Best Tech Gifts For 8-Year-Old Boys : Kindle Paperwhite Kids , Gabb 3 Kids Smartwatch , Echo Dot With Clock

Best STEM Gifts For 8-Year-Old Boys

All their favorite experiments in one box, national geographic earth science kit.

I am a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, relationships, home, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Women’s Health, Prevention, Health, Yahoo Life, and more. I have a master’s degree from American University, live by the beach, and hope to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.

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If he’s curious about the natural world, this National Geographic science set might make the perfect gift. Personally, I love stockpiling these for a rainy, cold or too hot day when we need to stay indoors. This one includes 15 activities in one kit, including the ever-popular erupting volcano, a couple of dig kit options and crystal growing opportunities. It comes with instructions for each experiment and some background materials for further reading.

A Lego Monster Truck To Build

Lego technic monster jam grave digger.

Combine their love of things that go fast and things that smash with this Lego Technic monster truck. They have to both build it and then, of course, play with it to fully understand the mechanics at play here. Pull it back and watch it race across the floor, just like their toddler set did for them—but in a much more tough exterior.

A Glow-In-The-Dark Mars Set

Clixo mars rover pack.

These bendable building pieces just got a big-kid upgrade this holiday season. The Clixo Mars Rover Pack plays off their possibly budding interest in all things celestial. Follow the instructions to build a Mars Rover-like set of wheels that glows in the dark for important fact-finding missions—or construct whatever vehicle they desire.

A DIY Character Creator

Elmer’s squishies kids’ activity kit.

Elmer’s new kit that allows kids to make four of their own squishy toys found instant success with this age group. The process is simple: They mix two packets together, pour the mixture into a mold, let it sit for an hour—and then enjoy a new toy. There are 80 “mystery characters” they can collect and create, and parents can order refill packs to make even more.

Indulge His Love Of Minecraft

Lego minecraft the bee cottage.

Many kids this age are into Minecraft, even if they’ve never played the video game. This Lego kit features the Bee Cottage, a toy with a removable roof, bear player, zombie and three bees. He’ll have a blast spinning the angry bees and battling the baby zombie after he builds the structure. “Almost any Lego set” will be a hit, Keder says. “Find a way to connect the set theme to one of their interests.”

Perfect For The Aspiring Chef

Kiwico science of cooking: ice cream.

Kids who love to cook will seriously dig this KiwiCo kit. It dives into the science behind ice cream and offers up recipes and tools to help kids make their own concoctions. There are even special containers to help store the treats once they’re created.

A Marble Run With Endless Possibilities

Ravensburger gravitrax starter set.

Keder recommends this marble run set, noting that it’s “a favorite” among his patients. Gravitrax lets users create their own track systems that use gravity, magnetics and kinetics to move marbles down the track. It can be built and redesigned as many times as the owner wants. Families can buy additional sets to link up to this one for even more challenging runs.

Can They Succeed In Creating A Powerful Beast?

Beast lab shark beast creator.

This beastly science experiment that results in a powerful fighter emerging from the mist landed on a number of holiday 2023 hot toy lists. It’s sure to appeal to the little kid in them as much as the budding scientist. They’ll need to unpack the kit and mix the ingredients just right to conjure up the beast. The set includes all the necessary mixing tools and ingredients, as well as 80+ lights, sounds and reactions to produce two beasts. Choose from between big cats or Shark beast characters. It does require batteries and is best for ages 5 and up.

Best Active Gifts For 8-Year-Old Boys

A folding scooter he can take anywhere, razor a2 kick scooter.

Razor is a popular brand in kids scooters—and the the A2 Kick is great for older kids, and it’s surprisingly affordable. The scooter is lightweight enough for him to do tricks, and folds up small for easy storage. It also supports riders up to 143 pounds, so he can use it for years.

A Fun Way To Get Around

Swagtron swagboard twist hoverboard.

A hoverboard is a fun way for kids to get around, whether it’s cruising the neighborhood or the driveway. The Swagtron Swagboard Twist travels up to 6 miles per hour and cool LED lights on the front and back, so everyone will see your 8-year-old coming. It’s also our top pick for hoverboards for kids given its sturdy build, solid range and general affordability.

A Backpack That Supports His Team

Mojo premium trim fan backpack.

Help him support the team while hauling his stuff around with this backpack. It features the logo and name of his go-to team (you get to pick) in the appropriate color scheme. It is 100% nylon making it extra lightweight and easy to clean. The padded straps are comfortable enough to carry him through the day. It also includes a laptop sleeve and additional pockets. Another fan favorite laptop backpack is available from Fanatics for under $50 if this one is too splurgy.

A Pair Of Extra Fast, Extra Cool Foam Sleds

Sno-storm premium foam snow sled (2-pack).

Foam sleds let them fly down the hill, offering a wintertime thrill just right for age 8. This two-pack of sleds means they can share with their brother or bring a spare for a pal. I love the four-handles on each for better gripping on the way down and easier carrying on the way up.

A Serious Ball For Kids In Travel Leagues

Adidas uefa champions league 23/24 group stage league soccer ball (size 5).

Whatever their sport is, a new piece of top-rated equipment or gear is going to make a great gift idea for 8-year-old boys. If soccer is their pick, they likely always need a new training ball, and this Adidas ball is the real deal in standout graphics celebrating the UEFA Champions League. If they’re still new to the game, go with size 4, but if they’re already in a travel league, they’ll want a pro-level size 5.

A Jersey Of Their Favorite Team Or Player

Dick's Sporting Goods

Nike Youth Los Angeles Lakers Dri-FIT Swingman Jersey

Our boys—and their friends—often place the jersey of their favorite team at the top of their gift wish lists. You can find many of their favorites and the most popular teams at official team sites and sports apparel stores. This Lakers jersey is sure to turn heads at their next practice session!

An Adjustable Hoop That's Sure To Get All Ages Moving

Lifetime 52-inch portable steel-framed shatterproof basketball hoop.

This genius of this portable, albeit heavy, basketball hoop is that the hoop easily lowers or raises up to your kids’ preferred height. Our senior editor of baby and kids gear has this exact hoop for her three kids—and says it was a big hit. “Even my 5-year-old can make baskets when this is on the lower height, but it easily raises up to challenge her 9-year-old brother and 10-year-old sister,” says Rose Gordon Sala. “I can’t say that it was easy to put together, but it far exceeded expectations in terms of quality and getting the kids outside to play and move around.”

Best Game Gifts For 8-Year-Old Boys

For the ultimate pokémon fans, pokémon go elite trainer box.

As good Pokémon fans know, you can never have too many cards. This trainer box features 10 Pokémon GO booster packs, a collector’s box and 65 card sleeves featuring Mewtwo (one of the most powerful Pokémon known to man). My Pokémon-loving son literally squealed when he opened this gift.

A Shouting Game That's Fun For The Whole Family

Stellar factory spaceteam.

Keder says Spaceteam is a good option “if you like shouting and pandemonium” which, for the record, many 8-year-old boys do. The cooperative game uses three to six players who have to work together to get all the space tools they need to fix their spaceship before time runs out. Everyone wins or loses together, making it a good game for building camaraderie among siblings.

A Set Of Trading Cards For Their Stocking

2023/24 topps match attax uefa champions league soccer collection (5-pack).

Whether they’re collecting Pokémon , baseball, basketball or soccer cards, you can’t go wrong with picking up a few more packs for their stocking or as slam dunk birthday gift. This particular set includes five packs of cards for 6o total of the UEFA league, which includes players on popular European teams like Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona.

We Promise Plenty Of Laughs

Kids against maturity.

Get ready for plenty of laughs—and poop jokes—with this family card game. Sala reports this game elicits deep belly laughs from all ages. “It’s a sort of fill-in-the-blank with your best joke game,” she explains, much like the adult version but with G-rated fun. Whoever makes people laugh the most often, ends up winning as they collect cards. It does help if kids can read the cards solo, making it great for this age group.

Best Tech Gifts For 8-Year-Old Boys

Their bedside must-have, echo dot with clock.

This Echo Dot promises to be their all-in-one in-room entertainment device that plays their favorite podcasts, bedtime stories and music and answers all their favorite trivia questions, cracks jokes—and then helps them get up in time for school with a morning alarm clock. Note that this has all the features Alexa offers and that you can set up parental controls.

Take His Library On The Go

Kindle paperwhite kids.

Packing a bunch of books on the go can get heavy, fast. The Kindle Paperwhite Kids lets him download his favorite books to tote just about anywhere—and it’s only 11 ounces. This Kindle has a parent dashboard, so adults can keep tabs on what the user is reading and for how long, along with set bedtimes and download limits. It lasts up to 10 weeks on a single charge, and the Paperwhite version lets them dim the lights to a soft, warm glow when reading at bedtime. It’s also waterproof. The regular Kindle Kids is about $50 cheaper but doesn’t include those two features. Both come with a protective cover and Amazon’s 2-year warranty.

A Big Kid Smartwatch

Gabb watch 3.

You’re probably not ready to hand your 8-year-old a phone just yet, or even an Apple Watch, but you may still want a way to keep tabs on them. The new Gabb Watch 3 smartwatch for kids doesn’t come with the internet, social media or even video calling, but it does offer up to 100 parent-approved contacts for texting and calling, and excellent GPS tracking via the parent app, offering caregivers an easy way to check in with kids to remind them of schedules and to understand their whereabouts.

If your child really wants a camera on their watch, which a lot of kids do enjoy, or a few more games, we’d also recommend the popular Gizmo 3 smartwatch from Verizon, especially if they have friends with Gizmos (there’s a neat feature that lets kids request to be “buddies” with another Gizmo user).

Best Outdoorsy Gifts For 8-Year-Old Boys

A sleeping bag with serious personality.

Pottery Barn Kids

Star Wars Sleeping Bag

Star Wars is huge with plenty of boys this age and with newer shows like Ahsoka and The Mandalorian , that fanbase is only likely to grow. This sleeping bag features the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy, the Millennium Falcon, and x-wing fighters speeding through space. It can be used indoors or out, and weighs just 3.5 pounds, making it easy for an 8-year-old to tote around for living room campouts and sleepovers.

A Tent That's All About Space

Space world play tent.

Got a space fan on your hands? This tent is covered in a planetary theme, with cool facts about space splashed around. A zip-up door allows for privacy, as needed, and assembly is a breeze. While this tent can be used inside and outside, it’s more of a fun backyard camping accessory vs. a tool for an overnight trip in the woods.

An Easy Way To See Far-Off Objects

Nocs provisions zoom tube monocular telescope.

This monocular telescope lets 8-year-olds (and adults, for that matter) see objects from far away. It’s covered in a high-impact rubber housing to protect the glass and stand up to the elements—along with the roughhousing 8-year-old boys can dish out. This monocular is lightweight, clocking in at just 8.5 ounces.

How We Chose The Best Gifts For 8-Year-Old Boys

I’m a mom of four kids, ranging in age from 1 to 10 years. Between my own kids and friends and family, I have years of experience researching and buying gifts for 8-year-old boys. I also spoke with two pediatricians for their input on what to look for in gifts for 8-year-old boys. From there, I tracked down the most popular gifts on the market and narrowed the field based on expert criteria, personal experience and reviews from other parents, including my editor Rose Gordon Sala who also happens to have an 8-year-old boy, as well as two daughters.

What Should I Buy For An 8-Year-Old Boy?

A lot depends on the kid. Keder recommends thinking about what the child is interested in and narrowing down your search from there. “By this age, kids usually have a pretty good sense of what they’re into,” he says. If you’re shopping for an active 8-year-old, consider things they can use around their yard, driveway or local park. If they love to cook, a culinary kit designed for a younger crowd is a good fit. And, if they’re currently going through a Star Wars phase, there are plenty of items to choose from, ranging from the Star Wars Sleeping Bag that made our list to action figures. “Figure out their interests and meet them halfway,” Keder says.

What Are 8-Year-Olds Interested In?

Kids of this age are interested in a range of things. “Kids are interested in developing their own individual interests at this age,” Keder says. “Helping them learn more about those interests or further developing skills related to it are great ways to go.” If they like science, a STEM kit may be a good fit. “Most children love Lego—building cool sets is very fun and brings about a sense of accomplishment that kids at this age love,” Keder says. “Board games are very fun, too, and offer kids more structured opportunities for play while developing their planning and organization skills. This is also the age when cookbooks and magic kits are fun.”

What Do You Get An 8-Year-Old For Their Birthday?

At this age, most 8-year-olds know what they want for their birthday—so Keder says it’s a good idea to simply ask. If you don’t know the child well or you get an “I don’t know” when you ask them for a gift idea, Ganjian recommends checking in with their parents. “They should be able to give you ideas or at least tell you what they’re into these days,” he says. If you’re still not sure, think about their general interests and just try to buy something that sticks with that general theme.

What Should I Buy An Active 8-Year-Old?

If you’re buying for a child who likes sports, Keder recommends getting him clothes that support his favorite team or a board game related to the sport he likes. Sports equipment is also a possibility, but Keder points out that it may be expensive. “If you are shopping for someone who is not your own child, ask their parents for what sizes they are and what they might like or need,” he says. We like the Razor A2 Kick Scooter , Hover-1 Matrix Self-Balancing Hover Board , Franklin Sports Pro Basketball Hoop and Mojo Ultimate Fan Backpack for active kids to help burn off energy and indulge their love of movement. If all else fails, Keder suggests that you “consider the gift of experiences like going on a hike, to a game or laser tag.”

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31 Gifts for 8-Year-Old Boys to Encourage STEM Skills and Creativity

There’s a big world out there to discover. Help them dive in.

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There’s something about 8-year-old boys that’s truly unique. They’re delightfully chaotic little eccentrics who rarely, if ever, think through the consequences of their actions. Basically, inside every 8-year-old boy is a mad scientist — with an emphasis on the “mad.” And, like mad scientists, they’re also creative and insightful. They find inspiration absolutely everywhere, probably because the world is still sort of new to them. We wanted to pay homage to this weird, well-meaning sense of wonder with our round-up of gifts for 8-year-old boys.

We’ve made sure to include a lot of STEM toys and projects in this roundup (this is such a good age to get them really interested in STEM), but also art, literature, and games that encourage family bonding and strategic thinking. Again, they’re so curious and enthusiastic at this age, so there’s not much out there they won’t find interesting. Besides, crafts, building, critical-thinking skills, and a healthy dose of haphazard whimsy are just as much a part of the whole “mad scientist” vibe as STEM skills. No matter what your sweet little weirdo enjoys, there’s something on this list we know they’re going to love.

More Gifts for Boys:

• Gifts for 7-Year-Old Boys That Will Inspire New Hobbies
• Gifts for 9-Year-Old Boys That Will Educate and Entertain
• Gifts for 10-Year-Old Boys to Make Him Look Cool Around His Friends

Klutz Book of Paper Airplanes

If you’re like me, you never actually learned how to make a proper airplane, so your attempts leave something to be desired when it comes to gliding through the air. But with this book, your 8-year-old boy will know how to make 10 aerodynamic designs! Includes 40 sheets of folding paper.

More: Best Toys for Kids

Spirograph Deluxe Set

They say insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result … unless you’re playing with a Spirograph, in which case doing the same thing over and over only makes your patterns more complex and mesmerizing!

Gears, rings, and ballpoint pens will help your child make millions of gorgeous patterned designs.

MammyGol Adjustable Rollerblades

OK, we’ve waited long enough: it’s time for rollerblades to make a comeback. Officially. Is there anything like gliding along the sidewalk in a pair of these? This design from MammyGol is adjustable up to three sizes, so they’re certainly built to last for years. The wheels even light up for added fun!

K'NEX Building Set

A perfect gift for 8-year-old boys who love to build. This set comes with 480 classic K’NEX parts which will allow him to create structures, experiments, gadgets, and toys — the only limit is his imagination! The snap-fit pieces stick together securely but can be easily reassembled into other creations.

Finders Seekers Mysteries Junior Explorer Subscription Box

Never hear “I’m bored” again! Well, OK, not never, but at least for the day every month this subscription box arrives.

Each box contains hours of adventure as your 8-year-old boy explores different world cultures, solves mysteries, examines natural wonders, and makes art!

Star Wars Mandalorian and Grogu Action Figures

If you’re looking for a great gift for 8-year-old boys, this is the way (get it… like on the show…?) This 12-inch Mandalorian comes complete with The Child aka Grogu aka Baby Yoda. Snuggle Grogu into Din’s satchel to hear specific sounds and phrases. The removable jetpack also makes sound for “realistic” creative play!

Klutz Lego Gadgets

Your 8-year-old boy will learn how to build 11 unique machines, from a catapult to a micro movie maker. This experience (and the 58 Lego elements included) will give him the foundation to go on to create his own designs.

UNO Triple Play

It’s a classic card game with a triple twist! Players must discard cards to any of the (now three!) piles that are lit up on their turn.

Be careful: If any pile gets too big ... overload! You have to draw however many cards the LED display says. A timing feature keeps the game moving along for an added challenge.

ThinkFun Cat Crimes

Who broke the flower pot? Who spilled the cup of coffee? Your child will have to figure out which of six adorable feline fiends is guilty of various kitty crimes. They’ll have all the clues, but it’s up to your kiddo to put them all together! Each of the 40 mysteries gets a little bit harder as you go on.

Henoda Programmable Robot

Whether your 8-year-old boy loves putting things together or just really enjoyed Wall-E, this DIY remote-control robot is a great gift. Build your new robot pal and then play with him using the remote control. It’s a great adult-child project for quality bonding time and fun.

Magic Tree House “Merlin Missions” by Mary Pope Osborne Box Set

For the early reader who loved the Magic Treehouse series but is ready for something a little more challenging! In this series of 25 books, Merlin the Magician sends Jack and Annie on a new adventure every book, from Night of the New Magicians to The Shadow of the Shark .

Watson-Guptill “Draw 50 Animals” by Lee J. Ames

Age-appropriate, easy-to-follow instructions will help your burgeoning Picasso perfect their craft as they learn to draw a menagerie of their favorite animals. Perfect for young artists who want to take their talent to a new level or the kid who wants to try something new.

Pressman Toys Mastermind Vertical Box

In this classic game of strategy, one player creates a pattern with brightly colored pegs and hides it. The other player must deduce what that pattern is in 10 turns or less.

With more than 2,000 combinations possible, it won’t be easy, but it is sure to be a hit with your 8-year-old boy.

Exploding Kittens LLC Throw Throw Burrito Game

In this exciting, fast-paced game (“like Uno meets Nerf”), players must compete against each other for card matches to earn points… but, every now and then, you just might need to have a duel. Or a brawl. Or even a war!

But don’t worry — in every case you’ll fight by hurling squishy, adorable burritos at one another. The player with the most matched cards wins!

Playz Edible Candy! Food Science Chemistry Kit

There’s a place where molecules collide and chemical reactions are the norm. A remarkable, almost magical laboratory: Your kitchen! And with this set, your 8-year-old boy will be able to take advantage of all the science your kitchen has to offer … and maybe a couple of yummy treats along the way.

National Geographic Kids Greeking Out: Epic Retellings of Classic Greek Myths

Based on the hit podcast of the same name, this is the perfect gift for 8-year-old boys who have entered their “obsessed with Greek mythology” phase. (IYKYK.) Through beautiful illustrations and the podcast's perfect tone of thoughtfulness and humor, this book explores the adventures and lessons of Ancient Greece as never before. (And yes, for podcast fans, “The Oracle of WiFi” makes appearances.)

GOTRAX Fluxx FX3 Hoverboard

Close your eyes and think about what you’ve always wanted as a child. The correct answer is “a hoverboard.” It could be tempting, therefore, to deny your 8-year-old boy a hoverboard out of pure, understandable jealousy, but … come on. Let them live your dream (and live vicariously through them).

LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Space Shuttle Adventures

Your child will go on all kinds of daring space adventures with this awesome, three-builds-in-one, toy! With the ability to become a space shuttle, a rocket, and a lunar lander, they’ll not only have lots of opportunities to build but hours of imaginative play as well.

Flybar Pogo Ball

Generally speaking, 8-year-old boys are in a constant state of bouncing, wanting to bounce, or trying really, really hard to keep from bouncing. For times when bouncing is OK, this pogo ball is perfect to get all that energy out in the most fun, entertaining way possible.

Scholastic, Inc. “Captain Underpants” 10-Book Collection by Dav Pilkey

Tra-la-laaaaaa! Everyone’s favorite comic superhero is here in a 10-book box set. Full of side-splitting humor, lively illustrations, and no small amount of potty jokes, your 8-year-old boy will love it.

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WHAT TO BUY AN 8-YEAR-OLD BOY: THE 20 BEST GIFT IDEAS HE WILL LOVE

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GIFTS FOR 8-YEAR-OLD BOYS THEY ACTUALLY WANT

Are you scratching your head, wondering what on earth to buy your eight-year-old son for his birthday or for Christmas? Well, dive straight into my carefully curated list of gift ideas for 8-year-old boys. The list is based on things I’ve bought for boys about to turn eight or already bonafide 8-year-olds.

Related: Great gifts to buy kids who absolutely love football

20 BEST GIFTS FOR 8-YEAR-OLD BOYS

Whether your son is sporty or bookish or creative, or a mixture of all of the above, there is bound to be at least one perfect gift on this list for him.

This is a great gift for those rainy or super cold winter days when a sport-loving boy would still love to be shooting hoops. It goes on the back of a door and comes with a soft mini basketball to minimise the chance of basketball-related incidents!!

My daughter and her boy and girl pals started skateboarding in earnest at around age 8. They are all fans of Tony Hawk (OG pro boarder) skateboards.

This 'mini' board is great for kids just starting out boarding between 6-9yrs. The board is deemed 'mini' because it is 31" long x 7.25" wide, plus its trucks and wheels are scaled down, making the board lighter and easier to manoeuvre.

We have the previous version of these kids' Puro Sound Labs headphones, and they get used for gaming and also come in very useful for the iPad when travelling.

The headphones have nice and crisp, studio-quality audio while strictly limiting volume to 85dB to keep kids' ears safe.

How brilliant is this? A bike helmet that comes with wipeable pens. So creative kids can cruise out on their bikes or boards with a different drawing on their helmet every day.

Kids start getting into Minecraft at 8 years old, so this collaboration is bound to be received with open arms by kids excited about diving into Minecraft for the first time whilst still loving Lego.

This is so clever! A popup goal and target shot practice set. Pack it up, then pop it up, and kids can play anywhere. Also great for smaller gardens when you don't want a permanent goal cluttering up the space.

Kinetic sand is popular with kids of all ages. It can be lovely and calming for kids to sit and let the sand run through their hands and lose themselves in creating shapes.

This football heartbeat hoodie totally sums up the passion for the game for true football fans and footie stars of the future. There are six different colourways.

This 3D pen set is a best-seller on Amazon. It includes a 3D pen, 3 Starter Colours of filament, a stencil book, a project guide and a charger. 3D doodling is a great way for kids to flex their STEM skills without needing to go near a screen.

You might well wonder if the Nintendo Lite would be more suited to an 8-year-old. I believe the OLED offers the best value for money. It docks with your TV, and there's a tabletop and handheld mode.

Most importantly, there are lots of multiplayer Switch games that can't be played on the Lite. The Joy-Con controllers on the OLED can be detached and used as two separate controllers for multiplayer fun with friends.

Clearly, it is more expensive than the Nintendo Switch Lite , so it could be one to suggest as a club-together gift from family members. Whichever you buy, don't forget to set up the parental controls.

This is a great STEAM gift for kids. It's a mix of Lego and paper characters by Klutz, makers of premium book-based activities for kids. Kids can make eight different machines that actually move.

The Boy At The Back of the Class is a touching children's novel written by Onjali Q. Raúf. The story gives a child's perspective on the refugee crisis, focusing on a young Syrian boy named Ahmet, who, at the start of the book, is alone, friendless, and sits at the back of the class.

The story unfolds through the eyes of an empathetic classmate who, along with his friends, embarks on a mission to make Ahmet feel welcome and help reunite him with his family. The book is a heartfelt exploration of friendship, kindness, and the power of small acts to create big changes. I think it is a wonderful book for any child to read - my daughter read it and loved it.

I've bought a couple of these T-shirts as gifts. When kids draw on the image using the glow pen that comes with the T-shirt or a smartphone torch, they can create their own design that lasts around 5 or ten minutes each time. The T-shirts are machine washable.

Not strictly a gift, but a lovely way to give gifts to someone turning 8 and it can totally be used after the big day. The cotton bags have a drawstring and come in 25x30cm for smaller gifts or 30x45cm for larger gifts.

The Hot Wires: Plug and Play Electronics Set is a really fun way to introduce girls aged 8-12 to electronics and engineering. This set has over 100 pieces, including wires, switches, and circuits, for kids to build electronic projects. 

The instructions are easy to follow, and there are over 100 projects, from a flying saucer to a burglar alarm. Kids can also get creative and design their own projects. 

The pieces are colour-coded and snap together easily. It is a great way for kids to build their engineering skills alongside flexing their creativity. 

GraviTrax is a 21st-century take on a marble run. There's a variety of tiles, tracks, and action accessories kids can use to create intricate layouts for the marbles to navigate. It is a great STEM toy that helps kids learn about gravity and kinetic energy and encourages creative problem-solving alongside hours of fun.

The John Adams Edible Science Kit is a great mix of fun and education that brings science to life by creating tasty, edible experiments, 15 of them in total.

It helps kids learn basic scientific principles through digestible experiments like making their own jelly worms or creating drinkable slime. You will need to supply a few kitchen basics, but overall it's a great way for kids to turn the kitchen into a science lab.

The Mr Gum series by Andy Stanton is about Mr Gum, a truly horrible man with a knack for finding himself in bizarre and often surreal adventures in the eccentric town of Lamonic Bibber. The books are filled with zany humour, quirky characters, and wild plot twists that make for an entertaining read.

Combined with David Tazzyman's lively illustrations, the Mr Gum series offers a delightful blend of silliness and wit perfect for capturing the imaginations of kids used to the fast-paced, immediate gratification of our modern world.

The Snap Circuits Beginner set is made up of colour-coded snap-together parts. It is a great way to get kids interested in the basics of electronics and circuitry.

Kids can easily make more than 20 exciting projects, like a music alarm or a flashlight, without the need for any tools or soldering. The kit's engaging, hands-on approach makes learning about electricity and circuits really fun and accessible.

Klask is like the love child of air hockey and foosball. It's got all the fun of a classic arcade game but right in real life. It's a two-player game (there is a four-player version as well) where you have to manoeuvre game pieces with a magnetic striker under the board. The goal of the game is to shoot the ball into the opponent's goalpost.

This book is a brilliant mix of education and entertainment - the best way for kids to learn. The book is essentially a tour of the human body, explaining how all the body parts function, from the brain to the toes and everything in between.

The book is filled with fun trivia and disgusting (yet intriguing) facts that keep kids hooked. Beautifully illustrated, Adam Kay has managed to turn biology into a fun and accessible subject for young kids.

Kids can draw on this cotton pillowcase with a special pen, and the drawing will glow in the dark. What a great gift for kids who aren't huge fans of heading off to bed without a battle!!

THE QUICK GUIDE TO SUCCESSFULLY BUYING GIFTS FOR 8-YEAR-OLDS

1 . Q: What should I consider when buying a gift for an 8-year-old boy? A: Always consider the child’s interests first. Whether they love sports, art, science, or tech, there’s a perfect gift out there for them. Also, bear in mind their developmental stage. At this age, they are often keen on mastering new skills, so gifts that are challenging yet achievable work best.

2. Q: Should I choose an educational toy or just something fun? A: Why not both? The best toys are often those that blend fun with learning. This could mean a science experiment kit, a creative DIY project, or even a challenging puzzle game. Remember, learning doesn’t have to feel like a chore!

3. Q: Are tech gifts appropriate for an 8-year-old? A: Yes, as long as they are age-appropriate and encourage positive tech habits. There are many educational tech toys that promote problem-solving and coding skills. Do keep screen time limits in mind, though.

4. Q: What if I’m unsure of his interests? A: If you’re unsure, opt for versatile gifts. Building sets like LEGO, science kits, or books from popular series are generally well-received. Alternatively, consider a gift that might introduce him to a new hobby.

5. Q: Are books a good gift for an 8-year-old boy? A: Absolutely! Books encourage imagination, build vocabulary, and cultivate a love for reading. Choose age-appropriate books that cater to his interests.

6. Q: What are some unique gift ideas for an 8-year-old boy? A: Think outside the box! Consider items like a dinosaur fossil dig kit, a butterfly garden, or a make-your-own comic book set. Personalized gifts also add a special touch.

7. Q: Is it okay to give an 8-year-old boy a gift card? A: If you’re uncertain about what he might like, a gift card to a favourite store or an online platform can be a great choice. It allows him to pick out exactly what he wants.

Hello, I’m Luci, founder of Mums Make Lists. The site is full of fun ideas and inspiration for birthdays and seasonal celebrations. Plus a growing selection of instantly downloadable fun printables and party planners. Read more .

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30 Best STEM Toys for Kids, According to Engineers

Learning science, technology, engineering and math has never been so fun.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Science toys have long been popular — Erector Sets and Tinker Toys are 110 years old, after all — but wow have educational toys come a long way in this century. When it comes to science, technology, engineering and math — the four areas of study known collectively as STEM — kids can go far beyond assembly (though building is still great!) and get their hands on toys that teach coding, number sense, physics and more.

Our top picks:

Best STEM Building Toy

32-piece magnetic construction set.

Best STEM Marble Run

Thinkfun gravity maze.

Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award Winner

Steam sensory beads.

When Good Housekeeping conducts its annual toy tests, STEM toys are always on the list of hot new toys and gifts for kids . They're available for all ages, from toddlers to teens. To find out which ones make the smartest purchases (a.k.a. the greatest gift ideas !), the Good Housekeeping Institute Parenting Lab puts its own scientists and engineers on the case, evaluating STEM toys for quality, ease of use and whether kids engage with the concepts behind them. Then, the most important testers — kids themselves — make sure our picks are fun, since no one's learning anything from a toy that sits in a closet.

You might also see toys marketed as STEAM toys — the extra "A" in there stands for art. There is an art element to much of science! For instance, one of our top picks for the best toys of 2023 has kids drawing out a video game and then having it come to life on a smartphone or tablet — you'll find it below listed as our STEM pick for 10-year-olds. We know it will have kids thinking artistically, too.

Looking for more great toys for kids? Check out these Good Housekeeping guides:

The Best Educational Toys for Kids | The Best Sensory Toys for Kids | The Best Outdoor Toys for Kids

Kids can dream up their own creations with these magnetic tiles that make construction (and deconstruction) a breeze. They're a great introduction to educational topics including shapes, principles of magnets, symmetry and spacial reasoning.

If you're ready to teach your kid what makes an equilateral, right or isosceles triangle, here's your chance! (Feel free to Google it.) We love that this STEM toy is equally appropriate for a 3-year-old, a 5-year-old and for older kids. We've also named these our favorite magnetic toys . Ages 3+

Kids will have to flex their building, spatial reasoning and critical thinking muscles to solve the 60 challenges that come with this now classic marble run, which gets more than 25,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. Or, they can just free play and build cool tracks for the three included marbles. Ages 8+

These flexible, multi-textured blocks can be used for building like regular blocks, but they also have holes so they can be threaded or held on a child's fingers, great for sensory-seekers and any kid working on motor coordination.

The beads also come with cards of different patterns that kids are challenged to replicate, which works their logic muscles and preps early coding skills. When we tested this winner for our annual Best Toy Awards testers said their preschoolers loved the colors and materials and kept coming back. Ages 3+

Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog Poppin' Shapes Sorter

This toy award winner for the toddler set introduces the basics of math and engineering, namely shape and size . Can your tot recognize that the star-shaped hole is perfect for the star-shaped piece, and line it up to drop it in? Our experts love that the soft, flexible pieces double as fidget toys for antsy tots looking to explore shapes and colors in every way. Ages 18 months+

Snap Circuits Electronics Exploration Kit

Tweens get hands-on experience with electricity and circuitry using this kit, which lets them build machines without a soldering iron (the pieces just snap together). This kit includes directions for more than 100 projects, including a a photo sensor and an adjustable-volume siren, but Good Housekeeping Institute testers loved the UFO project the most by far. Ages 8+

Good Housekeeping Amazing Science

Budding elementary-age scientists will thrill to the 83 hands-on experiments included here, which are led by the scientists from the Good Housekeeping Institute. The book goes from room to room through a home and explains the scientific concepts behind the phenomena you might find there, like why bathroom mirrors get foggy or what makes sweaty sneakers stink. Then, the experiments let kids dive deeper into the concepts. If they like it, they can move on to Good Housekeeping 1,001 Amazing Science Facts (for ages 8+), or younger ones ages 4+ can start off with Good Housekeeping The Little Lab: Fantastic Science for Kids . Ages 7+

Related: Best Gifts for 7-Year-Olds

Fisher-Price Code 'n Learn Kinderbot

Kids will have so much fun controlling their new friend’s movements with easy-to-press buttons that they’ll have no idea they’re practicing colors, letters and early math. There's even a "secret code" mode for older kids. The coding is very basic, but that's part of what we love about it. Ages 3 to 6

Pixicade Mobile Game Maker

Our kid testers were amazed to see their drawings turn into app-enabled video games . Kids draw out levels using colored markers to stand in for goals (like coins), obstacles and hazards. Then they scan the design into a tablet and play! Guides walk them through the elements of a great game. We like this for kids ages 10 and up who are persistent; younger kids might get frustrated by the inevitable need to troubleshoot when a game element doesn't work and needs to be tweaked. Ages 10+

Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope

Featuring the voice of Bindi Irwin, this talking microscope comes with preloaded slides — so kids can't magnify a leaf that they find or anything. What they can do is slip in any of the 60 colorful preloaded slides to learn more than 100 facts about animals, plants and humans. It lets them feel like a scientist while they learn encyclopedia facts! There's a quiz mode, too. The microscope works in English, Spanish, French or German. Ages 4+

RELATED: The Best Educational Toys, According to Experts, Parents, and Real Kids

Learning Resources Botley the Coding Robot

No phone or tablet is required to practice coding with Botley! In our testing, kids took to this coding robot immediately, without even realizing they were learning to code. Kids can program Botley to do a sequence of up to 80 steps to complete coding challenges, having him follow paths and avoid or reach obstacles. Ages 5+

hand2mind Numberblocks MathLink Cubes

The "M" in STEM often gets overlooked, but this activity kit brings math into the spotlight, and will delight any fan of Netflix's Numberblocks . Kids can use the linking counting cubes to recreate their favorite characters, and wipe-clean cards give them ideas for math-based puzzles and activities. Parent testers were amazed by how much math their kids absorbed while using this toy. If your kid is a fan of the series, we also recently gave a toy award to this Number Five Plush . Ages 3+

Crayola Paper Butterfly Science Kit

A set that's half-art, half-science, the Paper Butterfly Kit uses the power of capillary action to make 12 wicking-paper butterflies. Kids can also combine colors to make different designs. There's a separate kit that works the same with paper flowers . It's a great rainy day activity and also priced to be a nice birthday gift. Ages 7+

Learning Resources Gears! Gears! Gears!

This toy features building with a side of physics, as once kids set up gears both horizontally and vertically they can use one of the cranks to set them all spinning . It's compatible with other sets from the same line, and all the pieces fit back in the bucket for easy storage. Ages 3+

Abacus Brands Bill Nye's VR Science Kit

Young scientists don VR goggles for experiments in virtual and augmented reality. Each kit comes with step-by-step videos — starring STEM legend Bill Nye — along with IRL lab equipment such as beakers and brushes. It's the perfect mix of high-tech and hands-on. Ages 8 to 13

ThinkFun Roller Coaster Challenge

This game transforms kids into roller coaster engineers. Players design a 3D adventure ride with real loops and drops based on the challenge card they draw. Then, they send the car speeding down and hope for success. It comes with 40 challenge cards ranging from beginner to expert, and while it's meant to be a single player game, it can also be fun to work in teams to solve the challenges. Ages 6+

LEGO Technic NASA Mars Rover Perseverance

The Technic line, from LEGO, is full of models with movement, appropriate for tweens and teens interested in mechanics . Your kid builds this set out of more than 1000 pieces, then sends the rover rolling. It's even better when used with the LEGO AR app ( iOS , Android ) which teaches more about the NASA mission to Mars. 10+

PINXIES Marvelous Mermaid Ship

Kids are very into the cool designs on these paperboard panels, which connect with plastic links. The building takes a bit of time and requires some patience and perseverance but our tester kids were motivated to build the ship for the Pinxies figures, and to add in the stickers and accessories. This is a 160-piece set and the finished project is nearly 2 feet long and 18 inches high. Ages 6 to 10

LeapFrog 100 Animals Book

Kids learn animal names, sounds and fun facts through this book, which talks and plays songs in both English and Spanish. In our testing, parents appreciated the wildlife photos — and the break the electronic book gave them from having to make animal noises themselves! Seems like many others agree that it's a good purchase; there are more than 73,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. Ages 2+

GeoSmart Mars Explorer

Budding engineers use magnetic pieces to build a one-of-a-kind exploring vehicle with this set, mastering engineering concepts as they learn the construction of each moving vehicle. It comes with how-tos for four designs, but kids in our testing preferred dreaming up their own creations. Ages 5+

Learning Resources Coding Critters

Kids as young as 4 can learn screen-free coding and get the critter to do things like fetch or play hide-and-seek. There's also an interactive mode where kids can just play and take care of their pets without coding. This comes in many animal shapes, including a dog, rabbit, cat and dinosaur — and, more recently, a dragon and a unicorn . Ages 4+

Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents .

Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother . She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.

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The Best Gifts for 8-Year-Olds and Their Big-Kid Brains

Find just the right toy for the independent, rapidly changing almost-tweens in your life.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks

Our Review Process

• Factors to Consider
• How much should I spend on a gift for an 8-year-old?

What should I give if I don’t know what a child wants?

What should i avoid giving an 8-year-old.

Parents / Jaclyn Mastropasqua

Eight-year-olds are still in that middle childhood stage, but they’re about two seconds from becoming tweens . They want to be independent and are very vocal about the toys that appeal to them. Whether you’re shopping for your own children or giving a gift to another child in your life, the best gift for an 8-year-old will be engaging, age-appropriate, safe, and intellectually stimulating . Look for options with an educational angle. Building the foundation for STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) subjects at this age is paramount, and 8-year-olds are still learning through play. Toys that reinforce skills such as sharing, problem-solving, and general etiquette such as taking turns are also great. 

To round up the best toys for 8-year-olds, we surveyed 875 parents to find out what their kids’ favorite toys are. We incorporated the feedback we received from our survey and looked for toys that are primarily screen-free and, most importantly, fun. We also spoke with a panel of experts to further outline what shoppers should consider when buying gifts for 8-year-olds. Finally, we always keep up to date with the latest and trendiest toys, games, and books from the top brands.

National Geographic Glow-in-the-Dark Marble Run

Marble runs are educational, durable, and hold a child’s attention beyond one day or two. This fun version from National Geographic glows in the dark, offering an even bigger STEAM lesson beyond gravity and engineering. Children can learn about chemistry with a hands-on course on phosphors and how they absorb light and reflect it back to us. In addition to this 80-piece set , there are a larger 150-piece and 250-piece kits . Plus you can purchase expansion packs to make even larger marble runs. 

L.O.L. Surprise! Loves Mini Sweets Series 3 Deluxe

The L.O.L. Surprise! Loves Mini Sweets deluxe sets combine several things kids love— unboxing experience, miniature things, and candy !—with one thing parents love too: Toys that come with their own storage solution. With this Tootsie set, you’ll get three figurines, each with fun accessories themed after a specific type of Tootsie Roll—classic, raspberry, and fruit chews-vanilla. And if you use the included bottle accessories to feed the dolls water, they might just give you a surprise action. When playtime is over, just pop the dolls and their accessories back into the convenient carrying case . 

Skillmatics Art & Craft Activity Foil Fun

Whether you’re giving to a child who’s into quiet activities or one who really needs a rest from screens and high-energy projects, foil art is a great way to keep them occupied while nurturing their creativity . This Skillmatics Foil Fun kit comes with over 100 colorful foam stickers, 100 foil sheets, 10 picture canvases for backdrops, and googly eyes for a little extra whimsy. In addition to this the Unicorns & Princesses set, there are options featuring animals, space, dinosaurs, bugs, and more. 

VTech KidiZoom Creator Cam

These days, everyone wants to make content chronicling their lives, even 8-year-olds. This VTech KidiZoom Creator Cam comes with a tripod and grip so that kids can make their directorial debuts. Available in two colors, this compact camera supports HD video capture and even allows for special effects like time-lapse video. Kids can also superimpose over 20 animated backgrounds to create their own green screen footage with the included green screen fabric. This camera is also designed to take still photos and features a flip-up lens for selfie mode. 

Elmer’s Squishies Kids’ Activity Kit, Glow in The Dark

Let’s just be frank—many households have strong feelings about slime, potentially messy DIY projects, and anything that’s liable to stain furniture or clothing. If you’re buying presents for someone else’s child, make sure the parents are cool with these things first. 

This cute glow-in-the-dark Squishies DIY kit eases children into the basics of chemistry through a fun, straightforward activity that only takes about an hour to complete. The kit comes with everything they need to create two squishies , including molds, solutions, glue pens, and a UV light. Better still, even when the activity is done, they’ll have a stress-relieving sensory toy that will continue to delight. In addition to the glow-in-the-dark version, you can also find regular-hued options too.

Hasbro Monopoly Board Game

Even though many people are introduced to the game earlier in life, Hasbro recommends kids be at least 8 years of age to play—probably to minimize frustration over the complicated real estate transactions and math. (We’re hard-pressed to find anyone who plays this game according to all the rules, however.) Whether you make money pots for landing on Free Parking or let players buy property and immediately put a house on it, this game teaches you about the market , forces you to strategize as you try to buy up an entire block , and of course, challenges you to make it around the board to payday without facing bankruptcy. 

Exploding Kittens Throw Throw Burrito Game

Finding toys that delight the 8-year-old in your life, and can also be enjoyed by other siblings, friends, and family can be challenging. Thankfully, Throw Throw Burrito is an indoor variation of the classic dodgeball game—minus the actual discomfort of getting hit with a dodgeball. This is a combination card game with a very silly physical aspect to it. Two to six players try to rack up points by matching cards along the way, all so they can give someone a burrito to the face—gently of course. 

National Geographic Earth Science Kit

When you make learning fun , kids are more likely to not only enjoy it but also take the initiative to want to continue learning. The folks at National Geographic really get this, and that’s why this Earth Science Kit is a smart move. With over 15 activities , children can replicate tornadoes, build a working volcano, and even grow real crystals. In short, they’ll learn about how the giant rock they live on operates, and how the planet came to be. 

Klutz Lego Gear Bots STEM Activity Kit

Lego kits are almost always a hit whether you pick a general kit or a more dedicated build. This collaboration between Klutz and Lego helps children understand how to build a working machine by combining the iconic brick pieces with paper crafts to make dragons, monkeys, a DJing octopus, and more. Each of the eight physics-driven kinetic creatures will be fully functional once a child finishes the build. Just note that these are manually powered and do not have electric or battery-powered functionality. 

ThinkFun Gravity Maze

ThinkFun’s iteration of a marble run isn't just a building set, it's also a spatial puzzle. It features 60 challenge cards that show which pieces to use and which way they go (vertical or horizontal), then you have to figure out how to build the run in a way that gets the marble to the goal at the bottom, one level at a time. The cards are rated from beginner to expert so this toy grows kids' expertise as they progress. Key skills this game helps to build are critical thinking, spatial reasoning, planning, and engineering .

Mr. Sketch Scented Washable Markers

This is a throwback that parents will also appreciate. Mr. Sketch’s Scented Markers are a fan-favorite option. While we can’t promise that the adults in the room will find the smells as yummy as they remembered, we know that they’ll be a hit with the kids. This super pack features 36 chisel-tip scented markers . For shoppers concerned about staining, these are washable markers . Also note that you can buy smaller sets if you feel like 36 might be excessive. 

Skillmatics Guess in 10 Card Game

Challenge their mental acuity with this fun twist on a classic guessing game . Each player has up to 10 chances—or questions—to try to guess the object on the card. Use hints like the Clue Cards or Bonus Questions to help you uncover the answer. Two to six players can participate in a round. Guess in 10 comes in multiple subject packs, so in addition to this animal version, you can help a child build their knowledge on a variety of topics including geography, sports, foods, dinosaurs, and even modes of transportation. There are also junior editions that children as young as 3 can play. 

Krafun My First Sewing Kit

Knowing how to sew is a practical skill that benefits all genders. If you can manage basic hems, sew on a button, or even repair a rip, you’ll save yourself some serious coin as you get older. The My First Sewing Kit from Krafun is a great starter option . It features six simple sewing projects and comes with everything kids need to sew safely—including blunt needles so small fingers won’t know the agony of a needle prick. Pre-scored designs make it easy for kids to pick up the basics of sewing, and most projects won’t take more than 20 to 30 minutes to complete. 

Wonder Workshop Dash

Wonder Workshop’s Dash the Coding Robot offers a simple introduction to robotics, deductive reasoning, problem-solving, and analytical thought processes. While this smart toy relies on a companion app for your kids to control the robot, we like that it introduces core coding concepts such as algorithms, sequencing, loops, and events. Dash the Robot is also voice-activated, can be programmed to navigate around objects, and comes pre-loaded with five STEM apps. 

Thames & Kosmos Magic Hat with 35 Tricks

If you have a child who’s ready for the spotlight, this cute magic kit from Thames and Kosmos has everything your budding entertainer needs to practice the skills of the trade. From a top hat and faux bunny to a magic wand and fun cards, this kit is designed to teach youngsters about the basics of showmanship and misdirection —key skills you need if you want to be a magician. More importantly, kids will gain confidence as they practice and master the 35 included tricks . 

Barbie The Movie President Barbie Collectible Doll

Eight isn’t too old for dolls, especially one as inspirational as President Barbie played by Issa Rae in the Barbie movie. While this doll is in the “collectible” price range, we think it makes a very special gift, too, especially as she represents a woman of color in a position of power . Because after all, Barbie’s classic catchphrase was once, “We girls can do anything!” 

Thames & Kosmos Rainbow Gummy Candy Lab

When tasty treats and a science lesson combine , we’re here for it. Thames & Kosmos’ Rainbow Gummy Candy Lab lets kids make sweet confections while also enjoying a bit of stealthy STEAM learning. This kit comes with everything kids need to make delicious gummy candies in whimsical shapes like unicorns, rainbows, and clouds. You get to customize the flavors while also mixing colors and learning about basic chemistry principles thanks to the gelatin and citric acid that are included. 

Thames & Kosmos Ooze Labs Chemistry Station

There’s something so mesmerizing about combining colors and seeing mysterious liquids pour from a test tube into a beaker. The Thames & Kosmos Ooze Labs Chemistry Station is another hands-on STEAM learning kit that exposes kids to non-hazardous chemistry experiments to help them better understand how objects and chemicals interact with each other. It includes materials and a 16-page full-color manual to guide them through 20 experiments such as making slime, oozing bubbles, fizzing reactions, and even colorful chromatography. 

Hatchimals Pixies Crystal Flyers

The Hatchimals Crystal Flyers pixie is essentially a super cute drone that kids can guide simply by using their hands—no controller needed. Each Flyer comes in an egg that not only serves as a display but also helps to prep the toy so that it’s ready to soar. Along with flying, kids will love that the dress and wings spin and light up as the toy moves. And adults can relax since this toy recharges through a USB port rather than relying on traditional batteries. 

Funko Pop! Star Wars: The Mandalorian Hooded Ahsoka Bobblehead

If you’re shopping for a child who wouldn’t dream of having a toy everyone else has, you’re in for a treat. This Funko Pop! is a rare hooded Ahsoka doll from the Disney+ Star Wars series exclusive . This bobblehead has dual sabers and looks ready for battle. You can choose from so many other Funko Pops from the Star Wars universe and just about every other franchise kids love to help them start a collection. 

Mattel Minecraft Uno

Uno is one of those family-friendly games that gets everyone animated while they play. This Minecraft-themed version, however, will truly appeal to gamers of a certain age. Designed to accommodate up to 10 players , this classic card game features Minecraft characters on all the cards but still follows the standard gameplay. The only difference is that this iteration features a special “Creeper Card.” Just be prepared to draw four. 

LEGO Star Wars Ahsoka Tano's T-6 Jedi Shuttle

Legos are a smart way to teach children about engineering while also helping to build focus and patience , and further improve fine motor skills. This Star Wars Ahsoka Tano T-6 Jedi Shuttle is another inspired by the popular Disney+ series. This set comes with 599 pieces , including four figurines from the show. 

Crayola Inspiration Art Case

Get them off their screens and nurture their creativity with this 140-piece coloring set from Crayola. You’ll have everything kids need to bring their imagination to life. This includes 40 thick and thin washable markers, 64 crayons, 20 short colored pencils, and 15 large sheets of paper to help get them started. Best of all, every item has a dedicated space, making this case a portable way to keep kids occupied on that next road trip. 

Cookie Cups The Pizza-Making Kit

Cooking and baking require you to follow directions and be intentional . Thankfully Cookie Cups has a fun solution that not only helps kids hone these skills but also rewards them with a super tasty treat for their efforts. This kit comes with almost everything you need to make a 12-inch pizza from scratch . This includes the utensils, pizza pan, and aprons as well as the pizza dough mix, pepperonis, seasoning, and pizza sauce. You’ll just need to add cheese and any other toppings you prefer. In addition to this pizza kit, you can also find other kits from the brand to make cookies and other treats.

PlayShifu Plugo Count STEM Math Game

This STEAM learning math game is a great way to help reinforce basic math principles in a fun, immersive gamified way . The kit is designed to work with tablets or mobile phones and helps children quickly master counting, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division by identifying sequences, patterns, and more. There are five story-based games with over 250 levels to complete. PlayShifu also has Plugo Letter , which focuses on phonics, spelling, and grammar.

Cookeez Makery Baked Treatz Oven

The Cookeez Makery is a faux oven that turns the unboxing process on its head. It's a cute concept: First, kids place dough in a mold that represents the plush friend they’ll receive. Then they put the dough in the oven, set the timer, and let it "bake." (They aren't really baking anything; the toy is already inside.) Once the timer dings, kids open the oven and discover a fully grown, warm, and deliciously scented plush stuffie waiting for them. They can repeat the process as many times as they like or invent new games with the oven and their new toy.

Hot Wheels Spin Storm Track Set

The Spin Storm Track Set features a closed-loop design and comes with one car but can accommodate several. The track has three intersections so you can race cars and have near-miss collisions. Kids get a physics lesson while still enjoying the thrill of tiny cars racing through inverted loops and nearly colliding with each other. Even better, this set can be connected to other Hot Wheels sets. 

DEERC Mini Drone for Kids

Drones are a fun way to get kids moving either in the house or outside. The Deerc D20 Mini remote-controlled drone is designed with beginner pilots in mind and has a 720P HD camera . Kids will love that this drone can take advantage of gesture selfie modes and supports altitude holds for hover functionality. The camera sports an 80-degree wide-angle lens for gorgeous photo or video capture with support for real-time relay to your smartphone or tablet. You’ll get up to 20 minutes of flight time on a single charge.

Fresh Dolls Career Collection

If you can see it, you can be it, which is why the Fresh Dolls Career Collection is a great addition to any home interested in reinforcing a positive multicultural perspective . This set includes three dolls—Mia, Naveah, and Luna—in different careers: a surgeon, the president of the United States, and a teacher, respectively. These are 11.5-inch dolls meaning that they can be used with other doll play sets that are compatible with 12-inch dolls. 

To create a list of the best toys for 8-year-olds, we first surveyed 875 parents and caregivers, asking them to share their children’s favorite toys. We wanted to know what made these selections notable, how long the toys held their child’s attention, and whether their kids played with them in creative ways. We also asked parents to assess the difficulty of assembling these toys and whether they felt the products were worth their price.

We also actively seek out new toy releases throughout the year so that we can incorporate trending picks into every toy gift guide we create. At 8 years of age, playtime continues to be a prime educational opportunity, so you’ll see that many of our recommendations also double as STEAM learning options, along with solutions that foster imaginative play, and sharpen mental acuity through strategy and problem-solving.

Our Experts

To learn more about what to look for in toys for 8-year-olds, the developmental milestones of this age group, and the importance of encouraging creative, thought-provoking play, we consulted multiple experts:

• Jody LeVos , PhD, chief learning officer at Begin, an educational app developer
• Mariel Benjamin , LCSW, program director at the Mount Sinai Parenting Center
• Jill DiPietro , LCSW, child therapist, parenting expert, and owner of Foundations Therapy

Factors to Consider When Buying Gifts for 8-Year-Olds

• Developmental Milestones: By the time a child is 8 years old , they’ve reached the end of middle childhood. During this stage, children engage in more independent activities and thoughts, express emotional intelligence, and exhibit better concentration and focus. Self-regulation begins to appear, which Benjamin explains is “our ability to call on the right skills at the right moment to manage the world around us.” Kids will also forge stronger relationships with peers and become adept at expressing themselves. While they still enjoy spending time with their parents, 8-year-olds are also beginning to flex their independence, which is often exhibited through fashion choices, toy preferences, and the type of entertainment they consume.  DiPietro says group activities are a smart option since “logic skills are beginning to develop at this age, and children are learning how to cooperate and share with their peers.” 
• Child’s Interests : By age 8, children have clearly defined interests. Although there’s nothing wrong with using toys to broaden a child’s horizons, kids are more likely to engage with a toy if it aligns with their interests.
• Safety: Safety should always be paramount when shopping for children. This is especially true if you’re eyeing STEAM toys that feature experiments. Consider whether the child is mature enough to handle chemicals, if the kit includes safety protocols, and whether a child has the patience to follow instructions properly. As with other toys, you’ll still want to consider whether there are younger children in the house who might put small parts in their mouths. 
• Educational Value: At 8 years old, playtime can still be educational. Look for options that create an immersive play experience where children can gain skills without it feeling like a structured classroom lesson. Benjamin says physical games that require children to control stopping and starting can also help them learn to manage their own impulses and body movements. 
• Trends and Gender Norms: Toys targeted toward the middle childhood range still tend to be fairly gendered, unfortunately. Don’t be surprised to see retailers and brands still labeling things as specifically for girls or for boys. Meanwhile, options like baking/sewing kits or drones—even if the color palettes feel gendered—are not considered gender-specific options. We encourage you to think about the individual child’s tastes, not what dated stereotypes say they should like.
• Cost: We prioritized fairly affordable toys with a median price point of around $30 to $60. As with anything else, you can find options that are cheaper or more expensive than this range. Consider your budget and what you’re willing to spend. No matter the price, be sure the product offers high value and quality for the money.

How much should I spend on a gift for an 8-year-old? 

In our guide, we featured a range of prices, but the bulk of our recommendations have a listed price of $30-$60. Ultimately, you need to consider how much you feel is appropriate for a gift for an 8-year-old. Also contrast this against other factors, such as if you’re shopping for multiple children, if you’re targeting a premium gift, and the toy’s durability. 

If you’re not shopping for your own children, always start by asking their parents what gifts they think are best. If you’re shopping for your own kids, educational or artistic toys are a rewarding option. Arts and crafts kits like the Crayola Inspiration Art Case will always come in handy—even if they’re solely useful for completing class artwork projects. 

And while it might seem like a fallback option, kids and their parents do appreciate gift cards. They’re a “good opportunity for [a] child to make their own selections and to get into some financial literacy skills such as saving, spending, and giving to others,” shares Dr. LeVos. 

Try to avoid toys that encourage aggressive behavior, as actions performed during pretend play can often become behaviors exhibited in real life. Dr. LeVos also reminds shoppers and caregivers to avoid digital content or technology that doesn’t prioritize privacy and safety protocols. When giving something with digital access, she adds that parents should “look for COPPA compliance , content from brands you trust, and parental controls.”

Dorian Smith-Garcia is a commerce, health, and parenting writer at Parents, and a mom of one five-year-old daughter. She’s a big fan of gender-neutral toys since her daughter loves building sets, food toy sets, and arts & crafts. Even though her daughter is just about to enter middle childhood, Dorian can already see her daughter exhibiting many of the key emotional traits like empathy towards friends and an emphasis on friendship groups.

Middle childhood . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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28 Smart STEM Toys for the Techie Kids in Your Life

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Anyone who has ever watched a toddler methodically take apart a Tupperware drawer should know that many children are natural-born engineers. Your only job as a parent is to nurture their creativity … and clean up the mess afterward. Between us—product reviewer Scott Gilbertson, editor Adrienne So, and I—we have seven kids. This, honestly, is the most fun part of my job—calling in STEM toys for my kids and I to test together and recommend to you. It hardly feels like work at all.

Wrap up a few of these STEM toys (also called STEAM toys; we love you too, Arts!) and books for your future scientist to blow up, burn up, or dismantle. Hopefully, they'll thank you for the early encouragement when they're older. Be sure to check out our many other buying guides , including Our Favorite Subscription Boxes for Kids and How to Build the Lego Collection of Your Dreams .

Updated November 2023: We added Clixo Kits and Kanoodle Pyramid, and updated prices throughout.

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Colorful Construction

Construction kits are compelling no matter your age, and my entire family found Clixo’s colorful, versatile, snap-together magnetic pieces irresistible. You can build three-dimensional shapes from these flexible pieces by connecting the magnetic ends and bending them the way you want (my youngest made a cat, my teen made a crown). These durable and washable pieces stack neatly to pack away. We love that you don’t need a flat surface to build because it means you can play with these kits anywhere. If you prefer a themed pack, we also liked the Mars Rover Pack ($45) and the Ocean Creatures Pack ($45) , and both sets feature glow-in-the-dark pieces. The kits are recommended for kids aged 4 and up. —Simon Hill

Marble-Powered Computer

Turing Tumble is a wonderful way to teach kids coding fundamentals. It combines the simple pleasure of marble runs with a beautifully illustrated sci-fi comic book packed with challenging puzzles. The board resembles a pachinko game, and you have to slot in different pieces to divert the blue and red balls and get the required pattern at the bottom. My 9-year-old spent hours working through the puzzles, reconfiguring this marble-powered computer. As the challenges grew tougher, the whole family joined in to find solutions. Well-designed, satisfying, and rewarding, this is a good pick for kids 8 and up. —Simon Hill

Teaching basic coding concepts to young kids is a challenge. To do it without a screen is even tougher. But QUBS has come up with an elegant solution. These beech wood blocks look like buildings, but each has a symbol relating to a command (turn left, turn right, U-turn, repeat the last command, stop, record path, play path). When kids put the magnetic top on the red car, it begins to drive. Using radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology, the car reads the commands on the blocks. There’s a lovely guidebook that includes stories and activities, but the best thing about this Montessori-inspired wooden toy is that kids can dive in and learn how it works through play. —Simon Hill

Lego Robots

Lego Education's Spike Prime building set is a complete DIY robot-building classroom in a box. Literally. Prior to the abrupt rise in distance learning several years ago, Lego marketed this primarily to schools. It comes with its own lesson plans, but don't let the seriousness fool you—my kids love this set and went from never having used it to programming their own robots (using the drag-and-drop Scratch programming language) in a couple of afternoons.

Lego keeps updating Spike Prime too. Recently it released a new series of plans for bots that track exercise and help kids learn about motion and energy transfer. —Scott Gilbertson

Make Music From Colors

Sphero acquired STEAM toy company LittleBits in 2019. Sphero's toys are always so cute, I want to eat them whole; I particularly liked the Sphero RVR ($279) . But for sheer aesthetic pleasure, it's hard to compete with the Specdrums.

These tiny, pocketable rings turn all the colored surfaces around you into a potential musical instrument, and turn anyone into an amateur DJ. Use the app to assign sounds to colors or vice versa. When you tap on different colors, you can hear the different tones. Anyone from toddlers on up can play with these and find them vastly entertaining. You can also buy a one-ring set for $25 . —Adrienne So

Coding Ball

The Sphero Edu app is packed with computer science lessons and activities for different age groups. Bolt has an 8 x 8 LED board on top, various sensors inside (compass, light sensor, gyroscope, accelerometer), and supports infrared communication. My wife is a teacher and uses this in the classroom to teach basic coding skills, giving students (9 year old and up) challenges like navigating a maze. She says many kids grasp the concepts much faster than they might with a book or screen, because they can see the Bolt moving in physical space. —Simon Hill

Endless Building Fun

The return on investment with Magna-Tiles staggers me. It's been years , and at 6 and 8 years old, my children can still occupy themselves with these for hours. Translucent Magna-Tiles click together to form both two-dimensional shapes and three-dimensional objects. Younger kids can make a house with a backyard and fences, or ice cream cones. With an older kid, the sky is the limit—or, rather, your credit card is, since there are wheelbarrows full of expansion sets you can buy. My daughter can currently build a full village in an afternoon for her stuffed animals.

If these are too pricey, there are alternatives that work just as well, like Picasso Tiles, which are $20 for 60 pieces . —Adrienne So

Tacto uses physical pieces to turn your iPad, Android, or Fire tablet into a game board. Tacto Chess teaches the basics, from how the pieces move to strategies for victory. The animated app boasts friendly voice acting and stories to draw kids in. There are also chess puzzles to solve and a move predictor, and your child can play against AI or another person. Both my kids (9 and 12) have enjoyed some time with this, so it works well for different ages and abilities, but it was a little fiddly to get pieces to register on the iPad Mini, so a larger tablet is advisable. Other Tacto packs cover dinosaurs , classic board games , coding , lasers , and electronics . —Simon Hill

Underwater Vistas

Chronicle Books' gorgeous picture book tells the story of Ken Nedimyer, an environmental scientist, live rock farmer, and fish collector who founded the Coral Restoration Foundation .

The book weaves together details of Nedimyer's biography with facts about coral reefs—I did not know that corals spawn like fish do—and luminous underwater landscapes and depictions of scuba diving. It makes environmental preservation and following your passions look both doable and fun. —Adrienne So

Table Tiles

The Osmo tablet accessory and gaming platform for kids merges the physical and digital worlds in a way few toys manage. Your kids can tackle solving puzzles and playing word games with blocks and tiles you move around on the table in front of them. The Osmo hardware captures what they're doing and translates it into actions on the screen.

Osmo recently launched several new titles, including a math-related dragon game that's been a hit in our house. Give the hardware requirements a close look to be sure your iPad or Fire tablet is compatible. —Scott Gilbertson

Construction Capers

My entire household found this magnetic construction set irresistible, and there has been a new 3D structure on the coffee table every morning. The kit comprises glow-in-the-dark magnetic rods (crafted from recycled plastic), steel spheres, and plastic bases in different shapes. You also get storage boxes to put everything away in. There’s a guide in the box with a few suggested structures, but creating your own is a big part of the appeal. There are sets of various sizes suitable for kids 3 and up. —Simon Hill

Women in STEM

These beautifully illustrated cards depict legendary women who made significant contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. There’s a focus on Black and Indigenous women of color, because they are woefully underrepresented in most STEM discussions. Stylized portraits are combined with interesting brief biographies that recount their journeys and highlight their achievements. There are also thoughtful questions to provoke conversation and debate, which makes the deck a useful teaching resource for teens. But it is on the pricey side.

The makers, the Represented Collective, also offer puzzles for younger kids. We tried Nakira’s World Nature Hike ($24) , a jigsaw with two pairs of decoder glasses and a puzzle book. Youngsters will enjoy examining the nature scene, and the booklet has links to culturally relevant reading and offers an introduction to Ojibwe vocabulary. —Simon Hill

Color Chemistry

Everyone who has come across a Crayola crayon has probably melted one, whether accidentally or on purpose. Crayola's Color Chemistry set includes enough brightly colored Crayola ingredients for 16 activities out of the box, and up to 50 with common household ingredients. Exploding volcanoes and colorful quicksand are just a few of the eye-catching experiments that you can look forward to trying. —Adrienne So

Remote-Controlled Robot

This super-cute robot looks like it rolled straight out of a Pixar movie. With a big, expressive eye atop three balls, it zips around with real personality, which helps it successfully combine play and learning in a way that every STEM toy aims for but many fall short of. Dash has lived with us for several years now. It’s a durable toy that works on a simple level like a remote-controlled car, but it also ties in with various apps to play games, solve puzzles, and create programs. Lego connectors for Dash’s head add to the creative possibilities. Wonder Workshop also offers some optional accessories. —Simon Hill

A Twist on a Classic

No one needs a Bluetooth-enabled Rubik's Cube, but once you get your hands on a GoCube you probably won't be able to put it down. Smart sensors inside the beautiful, glowing cube connect to a companion app on your phone and sense where each block is positioned. You can learn algorithms and strategies that will help you get your solve-time down. And if you give everyone you know a GoCube, you can also stage live competitions with friends and family! —Adrienne So

Sand Castles

My kids love this moldable sand and have happily spent countless hours over the years making tabletop structures. It behaves like wet sand and never dries out, so you can shape it with your hands or use tools and molds to make castles. It comes in many colors and clumps together easily but doesn’t stick to your hands or surfaces. While it’s generally easy to clean up, it’s a good idea to confine play to a tray or table and supervise your kids, or you may end up picking tiny bits of pink sand out of your carpet. —Simon Hill

Unlimited Books

No parent has ever complained that their child was reading too much. You might think that Amazon's Kindle Kids a regular Kindle Paperwhite , but it includes a year's subscription to Amazon Kids+ (formerly FreeTime Unlimited), a two-year replacement guarantee, and, yes, a cute cover.

Not only does Amazon Kids+ give your child access to more than a thousand kid-friendly books in both English and Spanish, as well as Audible titles, I found it easy to whitelist even more free titles (free books!) from my local library using Amazon's parent dashboard. You can also highlight or look up difficult words, or add them to a Vocabulary Builder tool. Testing this Kindle is the first time I've gotten my 5-year-old interested in longer chapter books, so I'd give it a ringing endorsement based on that alone. —Adrienne So

Real Coding

Many STEM toys dumb down programming tasks, and that can limit their usefulness. The kits from Let’s Start Coding reject that approach, offering hands-on time with electronic components and challenging kids to dive straight in and create programs in C++. The Ultimate Kit includes 23 separate parts, including an LCD screen, speaker, LED strip, various sensors, and more. There are more than 100 projects to embark on, with example code that kids can tweak and helpful, if somewhat dry, walkthrough videos.

My kids required some encouragement and supervision with this, and I think the suggested age of 8 years and up is low. Perhaps more important than age is a genuine interest in hardware and coding. But there’s satisfaction in successfully controlling hardware components. A Windows, Mac, or Chromebook desktop or laptop is required to use the free software. Younger kids may be better starting with a smaller, more focused kit like Code Rocket ($70) . —Simon Hill

Unlock the Rocks

The best toys are the ones that aren't toys at all. This year, my children became extremely interested in fossils and geology. We've been taking walks in the woods or at the beach, putting promising specimens in our pockets. We often keep the rock tumbler running for weeks (outside, because it's a little noisy), changing out the grit and watching as rough rubble eventually reveals itself as sparkly quartz or agate. If you're feeling ambitious, you can also throw in a rock guide and plan a rock-hunting trip. —Adrienne So

Colorful Clay

Part of exploring the world is feeling the world, digging in the dirt as it were, but if you don't have a yard or live near a park, you can bring some of that same spirit of exploration inside with polymer clay.

This is the mold-and-bake clay you might have used growing up. It just has a fancy new name. The things your kids create might not always hold up, but that too is a learning process—after her doll's table fell apart several times, my daughter asked if I could reinforce the legs with wire.

Other fun sculpting options include modeling clay ($10) and good old-fashioned Play-Doh ($21) . —Scott Gilbertson

Odds and Ends

Most kids love construction kits, and the OffBits combine special components with standard hardware bits you might have lying around the house, like nuts and screws. Each kit boasts a special assembly tool and a robot, creature, or vehicle to build. My daughter enjoyed putting the UnicornBit together, and kids are encouraged to get creative in their approach and adapt designs to suit them. The only roadblock we ran into was that some pieces were tough to connect, requiring some adult muscle, and others felt loose, but the end result was charming. OffBits offers various kits (mostly for kids ages 6 and up), but with small pieces and tricky assembly, we advise adult supervision. —Simon Hill

Fantastic Stickers

I know what you're thinking: Painting with stickers sounds kind of lame. But trust me, kids love these books. There's something about the balance of fun and meticulous concentration that draws children in. These are also a fun and mess-free activity for traveling with younger children. If your child isn't a dinosaur fan, there are plenty of other options, including unicorns , undersea animals , bugs , and more. —Adrienne So

Creative Cardboard

If you already have a Nintendo Switch, you must try Nintendo Labo ( 9/10, WIRED Recommends ). These clever kits composed of corrugated cardboard sheets and stickers must be assembled so you can play related games with your creations on the Switch console. Beyond the challenges and mini-games, you can dip into the software and learn how each kit works. You can even set up your own rules, reprogramming your creations in the Toy-Con Garage by dragging and dropping blocks to create simple inputs and outputs. We like the Vehicle Kit best, but there are several alternatives. —Simon Hill

Yeasty Goodness

We've tested many gift subscription kits , but my 5-year-old declared this baking kit to be the most fun of all. We've talked about yeast, watched carbon dioxide fill up balloons ("We're eating fungi farts!"), talked about the different states of matter while making butter, kneaded dough, and finally, had cinnamon toast for a snack. It requires a lot of parental supervision over a lengthy period of time, but I also liked that she now has her own separate measuring cups and tools and can quit stealing mine. —Adrienne So

Tetris-Style Teaser

Can you fit these Tetris-pieces into a three-dimensional puzzle board? My 11-year-old loved this logic puzzle, though she found the 2D puzzles too easy. Luckily, there are 100 3D puzzles that require spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills to beat. They get tougher as you progress, but never too hard. This puzzle kit is recommended for kids aged 8 and up, but some younger kids could have fun with it, too. Kanoodle does also offer a bunch of other brain teasing puzzles specifically for younger kids. —Simon Hill

A Crayon Replacement

Tempera paint sticks are like oversized crayons, but instead of wax, your kids smear tempera paint around. Don't worry, it dries quickly (in about a minute and a half), and it's easy to clean off most surfaces. It's all the fun of painting, but there are no brushes or other mess to clean when your kids are done. There are sets of all sizes. We started with this 12-piece set but have since expanded to a 32-color set ($28) . —Scott Gilbertson

World of Learning

Budding adventurers can learn about countries around the world with this interactive globe. Using a companion app on a tablet, your child can scan the included globe and get augmented reality pop-ups that trigger fact files on famous monuments, animals, cuisines, and more. My 9-year-old had some fun with this but felt the goofy voices were more suitable for younger kids. (PlayShifu recommends it for ages 4 to 10.) The globe feels cheap, and the AR pop-ups tend to clip through it, but this is a novel way to learn more about the world. Shifu offers two alternative globes covering dinosaurs and the planet Mars . —Simon Hill

Coding Cutie

It’s amazing how bleeps and bloops, colored LEDs, and cute animations lend personality to a tiny robot. The Ozobot Evo is like a mini R2D2 your kids can control. There are a couple of ways to program the Ozobot Evo. It follows black lines drawn on paper and changes the color of its lights to match the colors drawn. Blocks of varied colors also act as codes to trigger animations, change speed, or perform another action (a workbook explains). Ozobot is an easy, screen-free introduction to coding principles for younger kids. Older kids can try Ozobot Blockly, a typical drag-and-drop coding language that lets them build simple programs quickly.

My 10-year-old enjoyed playing with this for a while, but I agree with  our original review that the Ozobot Evo would work best in the classroom. Ozobot offers handy teaching resources, and the Evo makes for an engaging problem-solving activity for small groups. —Simon Hill

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26 Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

• Last Updated: September 22, 2021

Table of Contents

Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boys

Shopping can be challenging, as it can be a challenging task to select the perfect gifts for a child. Pick the ideal toys for 8-year-old boys , from roller skates to science experiment games.

In order to save your time and energy, we did all the analysis. We discovered the most entertaining and educational 8-year-old boy would enjoy, even beyond the exciting element.

For their excellent reviews and potential to add fun to your 8-year-old childhood, These were the top 26 gifts For 8-Year-Old Boys specially picked by Parenthoodbliss .

Gifts For 8 Year Old Boys

1. brainbolt; best gifts for 8-year-old boy.

This is an exciting memory booster that is great for eliminating boredom on a long flight, where kids can play alone or switch it into a two-player game, a different angle on the popular Simon Says game. The task is to recall the series of light and maintain it as long as you can, without changing the sequence! Bonus: There are batteries included to allow you to play wherever and whenever you want!

2. Smartphone Controlled Paper Airplane; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

This paper plane explains flying, aerodynamics, and elevate concepts while supporting outdoor playing. Building and connecting to Bluetooth is simple, so boys can monitor the plane easily via the free app from a mobile device.

3. Professor Maxwell's VR Science Lab; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

It’s not your standard, at-home science package. Children wear VR goggles to experience the principles of science become lively. The collection includes 48 items, which include things like beakers and measuring cups, but for enjoying the benefits of the VR functionality, you must provide your own Android or iOS device.

4. TechMods Accelo GT; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

This 2019 Toy Award winner can be used by children to design their own race car and then power it with the free TechMods app. Our researchers agree that it’s revolutionary because physical and digital play is mixed by the game. And furthermore, some coding is also used, which is perfect for explaining STEM to children.

5. Last Defense! Board Game; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

The future of the universe is at risk, and to protect it this board game encourages players to work collectively. The players are the inhabitants of the city who attempt to fight back against multiple barbaric dangers, such as sentient plants or aliens from space. Scientists must be saved and instruments gathered to assist them, but they are practically in a battle against the time, as this is a timed game and every game must be finished in 20 minutes or less.

6. American Ninja Warrior Video Game; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

To be the next American Ninja Warrior, experience the fun and excitement and even falls of taking on different challenges! Through using the Course Builder, kids can develop variations of complex challenges and evaluate their abilities in multi-player mode against one another.

7. Snap Ships Gladius AC-75 Drop Ship; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

Snap Ships are the latest construction toy line that utilizes swappable parts to develop multiple spacecraft if your 8-year-old boy is into boats. Each package can create several ships, and also brings with a bonus item to give it additional power. Toy researchers enjoyed altering the models, and they were noticed to be durable by consumers.

8. Carpool Karaoke; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

Inspired from the enormously famous section on The Late Show with James Corden , this microphone toy turns the family car into a fun Carpool Karaoke drive! Setting up and using it is remarkably simple: First, locate an accessible station on your radio and fit the station to the mic. Then connect your mobile device through Bluetooth with the mic and sing from the mic or music app to your favorite melodies! Your 8-year-old would love to sing his favorite songs.

9. Marker Maker Set; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

Children will discover the concept of science behind art here this kit will direct them through the procedure of creating their own markers, involving calculating and combining the ink to produce their favorite colors. To make 16 markers, the package contains plenty of materials.

10. Marble Circuit Logic Board Game; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

For your 8-year-old who enjoys solving problems and exploring new concepts, this is the ideal gift. The objective is to put multi-directional tiles wisely on the screen for the marbles to pass through them. This game aims to strengthen cognitive abilities, spatial perception, and cause-and-effect comprehension.

11. Light Racer Kit; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

8-year-old boys may use the light racer kit to make their own electromagnetic bike light that flashes while they ride. They’ll be able to see how to build bigger and brighter lights, which is a STEM learning opportunity for them.

12. LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

8-year-old boys can use LEGOs boost creative toolbox to build and program a robot that follows fundamental coding principles. The components may be reassembled to make five distinct figures, allowing kids to rebuild their robot whenever they choose.

13. Hidden Side J.B.’s Ghost Lab; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

LEGO’s “Hidden Side” toys are liked by kids because it provides a unique play experience that combines the open creative play of LEGO construction bricks with a continuously updated augmented reality game app. J.B.’s Ghost Lab playset includes a fascinating mad scientist-inspired laboratory with a ‘Tesla-powered’ chamber for ghost removal and a lot of tech elements to stimulate imaginative play.

14. Nerf N-Strike Elite Trilogy DS-15 Toy Blaster; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

This toy gun from Nerf comes with 15 Official Nerf Elite Darts and 5 Shells. It is a perfect gift for boys who love to play shooting games. The toy can fire 3 darts at once with the shells that are ejected. Official Nerf Elite darts are made of foam with flexible, hollow tips and are built for distance. They’ve been tested and approved for performance and quality.

15. Mars Space Station; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

This space station toy features modular sections that make it simple to modify the space mission and become creative. The game’s life is enhanced with sound effects such as radio contact, space sounds, and jet propulsion.

To replicate a successful Mars trip, two astronauts, one space robot, one space station, equipment,  food supplies, and numerous other accessories are included in this toy.

16. Dog Crimes; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

Dog Crimes is a puzzle game in which players must apply sequential thinking to decide the ultimate order and positioning of the dogs on the game board. With a simple, high-quality instruction manual, learning how to play this game is very easy.

Players acquire critical thinking and logical deduction abilities as they tackle progressively difficult challenges in this game, which teaches critical skills and delivers a stealth learning experience.

17. Meltdown; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

Meltdown is a thrilling, strategic, and tense game. To play this game, you will have to place the squishy goop on top of the tower in whatever way you want—roll it, crush it. After that, place the balance platform on top. Take turns to stack the cold, slippery cubes on the top and be careful as it is always moving. You’ll have to re-stack if any cubes fall. When all of the cubes are stacked, the game is done!

18. Ooze Labs: Alien Slime Labs; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

In this colorful, activity-packed package, real science, and fun imagination combine. The lab station is simple to assemble, allowing your 8-year-old to perform exciting experiments while learning the fundamentals of chemistry – all while playing with color-changing alien slime. Safe, non-toxic ingredients are included, as well as an instruction manual that encourages experimentation and provides fascinating scientific information.

19. Mad Moves Game; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

This gift might be your only chance to witness your 8-year-old boy dance like a T-Rex ! To start, participants select a card, which will indicate how they will dance. Then, to find out what you’ll be dancing to, spin the spinner. When you combine the two, you’ll see your 8-year-old boy dancing as you’ve never seen before! It’s best played in groups of three or more, so it’s ideal for family game evenings or parties.

20. Tiny Pong; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

The Tiny Pong Solo Table Tennis game puts thrilling bouncing action right in your hands. To get points, launch the ball off the court and bounce it around the court. Under the ball, move the court back and forth. Switch from Beginner to Expert mode to increase the difficulty. As players strive to beat their previous high score by getting as many bounces as possible, the game replies with lights and noises.

21. Monopoly Voice Banking Electronic Family Board Game; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

Mr. Monopoly is the Banker in this computerized Monopoly voice banking game , and he handles the money of the participants through his top hat. To interact with Mr. Monopoly , the little one will need to push the button and say something to which Mr. Monopoly will react and transfer the funds the opponent’s account. With this game, kids will learn about managing accounts and finances.  It’s a fantastic activity for family game evenings because it can accommodate 2 to 4 people at a time.

22. Lego Star Wars PodRacer; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

Star Wars Podracer comes with large engines, flaps, a Minifigure open cockpit, and a handy play handle, making it ideal for Star Wars racing at home. Three Star Wars LEGO Minifigures are included in this building set. It has 279 pieces and is a perfect construction toy for 8-year-old boys.

23. PlayMonster Butts Up Electronic Game; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

Butts Up is a lively, energetic game that is similar to musical chairs but with a funny twist. While others sit in chairs surrounding them, the player in the middle holds the gadget and reads the Butts Up declaration. You stand up and rush to locate a new chair if the remark applies to you, while the person in the center does the same. The person who is left without a chair takes a scoring ring and asks the questions next, the player with the fewest scoring rings wins.

24. Fortnite Battle Royale Collection Squad Pack; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

Raptor, Rust Lord, Rex, and Raven are included in the Fortnite Battle Royale Collection Squad Pack. The Fortnite Battle Royale Collection includes 2 ” pocket figures that can be used to create a real-life locker with all of your favorite characters. The Battle Royale Collection includes everything from no-skins to fan favorites. Each figure has two to three points of articulation and comes with a display stand. With this collection, your kids can create their own Battle Royale to display their collection.

25. Melissa & Doug Decoupage Made Easy - Puppy Craft Set; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

This is a craft set with a puppy theme to it. The craft kit has pre-cut patterned stickers that are mess-free and simple to apply. The stickers are available in a range of shapes and sizes, as well as different patterns. The set includes a paper mâché puppy, stickers, glitter glue, a ribbon collar, and eye stickers. It is the best gift for an 8-year-old boy, who wants to learn how to do crafts.

26. Rubik’s Cube; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

For an 8-year-old boy who enjoys solving Rubik’s Cubes, this Original 3×3 Rubik’s Cube is a must-have. There are billions of possible combinations, but only one answer. It is the most well-known and best-selling puzzle in the world. It can make 43 quintillion different movements. Kids can twist and spin the cube back to its original state, with one solid color on each side.

Closing Thoughts; Best Gifts For 8-Year-old Boy

You would spend multiple hundred dollars if you purchased all the best toys for 8-year-old boys on this list. It’s just not possible, although we would all strive to lavish our children with every gift on their dream list.

Sports and exercise are also common criteria, supporting educational toys, but struggling to identify the perfect toys which are loved by 8-year-old boys.

You know your son perfectly, in conclusion, but now it’s time to clear the baby toys out and make space for big boy toys.

Best Gifts For 8-Year-Old Boys FAQs

1) what type of educational gift toys are good for 8-year-old boys , 2) what skills have to be mastered by children , 3) would a preloaded amazon gift card be a good gift for an 8-year-old boy .

On behalf of the editorial team at Parenthoodbliss, we follow strict reporting guidelines and only use credible sources, along with peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and highly respected health organizations. To learn about how we maintain content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy .

Sandra Janet Louis

Disclaimer: All content found on our website is published for informational and/or educational purposes only; not intended to serve or offer any form of professional/competent advice. We put in every effort to ensure that all information is just, accurate, fool-proof, useful, and updated but do not assume responsibility or liability, to loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence of information provided. Parenthoodbliss may earn commissions from affiliate links in the content.

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21 Educational Toys For 8-Year-Olds (Science Kits, Engineering Sets, & More)

Can 8-year-olds have toys.

Yes. Many toys are made just for 8-year-old kids and older, with options that suit their needs or preferences. Toys aren’t just for fun (or for younger kids), but can also help them learn and explore the world around them. 

The best educational toys will spark curiosity and a love of learning. They are both entertaining while also supporting the deepening vital skills like mindfulness and concentration.

Why Choose Learning Toys For 8-Year-Olds ?

Learning toys help your child develop or master age-appropriate skills, including hand-eye coordination , STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), STEAM (STEM with art), and problem-solving skills while having fun.

What Toys Do Kids Like Most?

This will really depend on each child’s interests and age. 

For example, some kids prefer video games and smart toys to books and traditional educational toys .  

Another example is that some toys for 8-year-olds might be too boring for 9-year-olds , yet it’s also possible that older kids will find them interesting.

What Do 8-Year-Old Kids Like To Play With?

At this age, many kids are interested in science kits and see the magic of seeing various chemical reactions to create new things. 

They’re also happy to tinker with puzzle pieces, LEGOs , or building sets that are more complicated than similar educational toys for 7-year-olds or younger.

They enjoy playing with toys they made themselves.

How Are Learning Games & Toys Different From Non-Educational Products?

Educational toys are designed to stimulate learning, including improving skills, such as logical thinking, fine motor skills , and problem-solving. In contrast, non- educational toys usually focus more on solely fun and entertainment.

Still, this can be tricky because some non-educational products can overlap with learning toys .

Some might think they’re “too simple” but slime, putty, and playdough might be learning toys depending on their use.

A human body anatomy model toy is clearly a learning toy . Yet certain sticker sets, board games , craft kits , and card games might also be considered educational.

Learning toys also make great ideas for birthday gifts (or Christmas gifts ) for 8-year-olds . 

Learn more about how you can choose the best gifts for them below.

Gift Guide To The 21 Best Educational Toys For 8-Year-Olds

4m kidz labs solar system planetarium model (8+ years old).

• Pros & Best Features: DIY glow-in -the-dark solar system set
• Product Safety: Child-safe materials but should be handled with adult supervision for kids younger than eight years old
• Materials: Plastic and paint
• Age Range: 8+ years old
• Educational Value: STEAM learning, problem-solving, hand-eye coordination , fine motor skills , and creativity
• Extra Features: Includes guidebook and painting materials
• Certification: Not indicated
• Made In: China (according to Amazon )
• Product Recall: None
• Cons: Contains small parts that are possible choking risks to younger children
• Customer Reviews:

“ My kids love this solar system kit. They had fun painting all the different planets and the sun. ” – Reviewer on Walmart “ The only small down side to it is the size, some of the planets are too small and it is really difficult to paint them. ” – Reviewer on Amazon  

LEGO Chain Reactions (Klutz Science STEM Activity Kit) (8+ years old)

• Pros & Best Features: STEM crafting kit and book
• Product Safety: Child-safe materials (exceeds safety standards); free from harmful chemicals
• Materials: Child-safe plastic
• Educational Value: STEM learning, problem-solving, hand-eye coordination , fine motor skills , and creativity
• Extra Features: Award-winning book (NAPPA silver award winner); *NAPPA means “National Parenting Publications Awards”
• Certification: US, European, and other global safety standards for toys
• Made In: South Korea (according to Amazon )
• Cons: Some complaints about the book’s quality and that there are only a few actual LEGO pieces (33 elements + six balls) which are inadequate to complete the projects (unless you already have your own collection at home)

“ The book is awesome for learning chain reactions. ” – Reviewer on Amazon “ its kind of cool, but, doesn’t come with all the bricks you need. ” – Reviewer on LEGO

Engino STEM Newton’s Laws Engineering Kit (8 to 16+ years old)

• Pros & Best Features: STEM-themed 121- piece set for building different machine models
• Product Safety: Snap-on parts to reduce the need for tools; certified to be free from PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), which might cause cancer
• Materials: Plastic
• Age Range: 8 to 16+ years old
• Educational Value: STEM learning, spatial thinking, hand-eye coordination , creativity, and fine motor skills
• Extra Features: Includes a guidebook with experimental activities for hands-on learning, illustrated building instructions, and detailed explanations of relevant scientific principles; award-winning toy (e.g., Dr. Toy’s Best Green Product and Best Educational Toy – won in the US)
• Certification: Meets all safety standards in the US (ASTM F963-11 and CPSIA) and Europe (EN71, EN62115, and PAHs)
• Made In: Cyprus
• Cons: Contains small parts (choking risks to younger children); some complaints that the product is difficult to use or assemble

“ Very cool different objects to construct. ” – Reviewer on Amazon “ Small parts, difficult to use. ” – Reviewer on MindWare  

Elenco Electronics Snap Circuits My Home (8+ years old)

• Pros & Best Features: STEM-themed DIY building kit with electronic parts
• Product Safety: Doesn’t require soldering tools; meets US and international safety standards
• Materials: Plastic and electronic parts
• Educational Value: STEM learning, hand-eye coordination , creativity, spatial thinking, problem-solving, and fine motor skills
• Extra Features: Includes 60+ snap-on parts and a guidebook for creating 30+ projects; award-winning toy (e.g., NAPPA gold winner, Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products, Dr. Toy’s 10 best Educational Products, The inaugural Seriously STEM award, etc.)
• Certification: American certifications – CPSIA, ASTM 963m, and 16CFR (Standard Consumer Safety Specifications); meets international standards
• Cons: Contains electronic and small parts that can be hazardous to younger children; some complaints that the toy is too complicated or unsafe for kids

“ 10 year old daughter did these different circuit designs for several hours without moving on to anything else. Great buy. ” – Reviewer on Amazon “ One of the sets shorted and burned the kids finger. ” – Reviewer on Amazon

Thames & Kosmos Solar Race Car (8+ years old)

• Pros & Best Features: DIY solar-powered car with an adjustable panel
• Product Safety: Includes accessible electronic parts (assemble with adult supervision and keep the pieces out of younger children’s reach)
• Materials: Plastic and photovoltaic cells (for solar power)
• Educational Value: STEM learning, hand-eye coordination , fine motor skills , and problem-solving skills
• Extra Features: Includes solar cells (no need for batteries) and a manual or guidebook
• Certification: European (EN71) and US safety standards (ASTM and CPSIA)
• Made In: Taiwan
• Cons: Some complaints that the toy might be boring

“ I like how the book goes beyond assembly instructions and includes other engaging information related to solar power. ” – Reviewer on Amazon “ Cons: kids can lose interest after it’s put together, which only takes 20-30 minutes, needs a lot of sun, pretty small. ” – Reviewer on Amazon  

MindWare Science Academy: Squishy Ball Lab – Science Kit (8+ years old)

• Pros & Best Features: Science kit for creating squishy balls
• Product Safety: Meets toy quality and safety standards
• Materials: Chemicals that can be safe if used with adult supervision (keep out of younger children’s reach); Warning: Don’t let any of the chemicals come in contact with the skin, especially if there are open wounds.
• Educational Value: STEAM learning, hand-eye coordination , fine motor skills , and problem-solving skills
• Extra Features: Includes step-by-step instruction guide
• Certification: CPSC (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission), ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials), and CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act)
• Made In: Not indicated
• Cons: Contains chemicals and parts that can be hazardous to younger children; potentially messy toy or experiment

“ My 8 yr old loved it! All ingredients are pre measured so she did it mostly on her own. ” – Reviewer on Amazon “ We buy tons of slime kits make slime toys this was a disappointment one day use and not much in kit. ” – Reviewer on Amazon  

Words, ABCs, Numbers, & Colors 

Educational insights fraction formula game (8-11 years old).

• Pros & Best Features: Math-themed toy set
• Product Safety: No sharp parts
• Materials: Child-safe plastic and cardstock
• Age Range: 8-11 years old
• Educational Value: STEM learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Extra Features: Includes a play guide
• Made In: Hong Kong (according to Amazon )
• Cons: Some complaints about quality issues (e.g., receiving an incomplete set)

“ You can basically teach kids the important part about fractions, the heuristic, while playing Blackjack. ” – Reviewer on Amazon “ We were very disappointed to find that our game was not complete— every single one of the fraction cards had “1/12” on them. ” – Reviewer on Amazon  

Learning Resources Snap It Up! Phonics & Reading Game (6-10 years old)

• Pros & Best Features: Language-themed card game
• Product Safety: Child-safe materials
• Materials: Cardboard and cardstock (thinner than cardboard but thicker than paper)
• Age Range: 6-10 years old
• Educational Value: Critical thinking, vocabulary, spelling, and reading
• Extra Features: Includes 90 color-coded playing cards
• Cons: Some complaints about the rules and product quality

“ It is a fun game for kids and adults. Even for kids who are learning letters you can use the cards. ” – Reviewer on Amazon “ The rules for this game are too complicated for the age the reading skills apply to. ” – Reviewer on Amazon  

Educational Games & Interactive Smart Toys

Mindware the how i survived game (8+ years old).

• Pros & Best Features: Wacky STEM-themed trivia game
• Product Safety: Products meet toy safety and quality standards
• Materials: Laminated paper
• Educational Value: STEM learning, planning, and cognitive development
• Extra Features: Includes a 30-second timer and a playing guide
• Certification: CPSIA, ASTM, and CPSC
• Cons: Possibly none

“ Provided hours of fun for my 12 year olds birthday party. ” – Reviewer on Amazon “ The game is more of a creative fun game than competitive. It sparks the imagination to be silly. ” – Reviewer on Amazon  

Thames & Kosmos Happy Atoms 2D: Interactive Chemistry Puzzles (8+ years old)

• Pros & Best Features: Interactive STEM-themed 2D puzzle set for chemistry beginners
• Product Safety: Meets toy safety standards
• Materials: Cardboard
• Extra Features: Includes a play guide, an app for identifying the resulting compounds, and a bonus 3D water molecule
• Certification: European (EN71) and (ASTM and CPSIA) US safety standards
• Made In: China
• Cons: Some complaints that the app doesn’t work

“ My 10 year old daughter was learning about covalent bonds and making carbon dioxide and methane and learning the properties. ” – Reviewer on Amazon “ The ONLY device I could get the app that goes with this product to work was the galaxy s8 (my phone) and the app was very finicky at best. ” – Reviewer on Amazon  

Educational Building Sets & Puzzles

Learning resources dive into shapes a “sea” and build geometry set (6-10 years old) .

• Pros & Best Features: Math-themed building set
• Product Safety: Child-safe materials; no sharp parts
• Educational Value: Critical thinking, math skills, and planning
• Extra Features: Includes 15 double-sided activity cards for 30 activities
• Cons: Small parts (balls) that can be choking risks to younger children; some complaints about quality issues (the sticks can easily break)

“ They are made of a heavy duty plastic that will stand up to a lot of uses. ” – Reviewer on Amazon “ During the first time with the kids using them, the sticks were breaking off inside the holes on the balls. ” – Reviewer on Amazon  

Fat Brain Toys Trestle Tracks – Marble Run Deluxe Building & Construction Set (8+ years old)

• Pros & Best Features: 43-piece starter construction set for a DIY marble run
• Product Safety: Passes toy safety standards
• Educational Value: STEAM learning, concentration, and cognitive learning
• Extra Features: Includes ideas for guided builds
• Certification: ASTM and ICTI (International Council of Toy Industries) 
• Cons: Contains small parts (marbles) that can be choking risks to younger children; some complaints that the product is too complicated for the age range

“ Little guy has not put this down. He wants no help from older siblings wants to work with it himself. ” – Reviewer on Fat Brain Toys “ A little too complicated for my 8 year old , out of the box use. ” – Reviewer on Amazon  

Thames & Kosmos Geckobot (8+ years old)

• Pros & Best Features: STEM-themed experiment and building kit
• Educational Value: STEM learning, hand-eye coordination , planning, and problem-solving skills
• Extra Features: Includes suction parts that allow the robotic gecko to climb on smooth surfaces such as mirrors
• Cons: Contains small parts (choking risks to younger kids) and requires batteries; some complaints about the quality

“ My grandson liked his so much he wanted to gift one for a birthday gift . ” – Reviewer on Amazon “ This sucks. It breaks apart. It doesn’t walk/stick into glass beyond a step or two. ” – Reviewer on Amazon  

Learning Resources Simple Machines (8-13 years old)

• Pros & Best Features: Building set of simple machines
• Age Range: 8-13 years old
• Educational Value: STEM learning, planning and coordination, fine motor skills , and problem-solving skills
• Extra Features: Includes activity guide
• Cons: Some complaints about missing instruction guide 

“ My 10 year old son has a new fav building smart toy. The hard plastic construction is durable and snaps in place and stays in place. We love it! ” – Reviewer on Learning Resources “ I didn’t receive an instruction booklet. ” – Reviewer on Amazon  

Musical Toys

Kako’o harmonica and mini harmonica with bonus cloth (5+ years old to adults).

• Pros & Best Features: Standard-size harmonica
• Materials: Stainless steel
• Age Range: 5+ years old to adults
• Educational Value: Musical skills, creativity, and social skills
• Extra Features: Includes carrying case and cleaning cloth
• Made In: China 
• Cons: No reviews yet from real customers for you to check
• Customer Reviews: None yet

Smartivity Music Machine (8+ years old)

• Pros & Best Features: DIY mechanical xylophone
• Product Safety: Non-toxic and safe
• Materials: Metallic sound plates and sustainable, recyclable, and laser-cut wood parts
• Educational Value: STEAM, motor skills, creativity, analytical skills, motor skills, and practical skills
• Extra Features: Mess-free assembly that doesn’t require glue; includes a detailed instruction booklet and learner’s log
• Certification: American certifications (CPSIA, ASTM 963m, and 16CFR) and international standards
• Cons: Small parts and elastic bands that can be choking risks to younger children; some complaints about quality issues

“ Truly simple, tool-free and glue-free construction. ” – Reviewer on Amazon “ I was excited to get the kits, but it’s disappointing that the material is flimsy. ” – Reviewer on Amazon  

Creative Toys For 8-Year-Olds

Melissa & doug on the go crafts – friendship bracelets (8+ years old).

• Pros & Best Features: Craft kit for 10+ friendship bracelets
• Product Safety: Free from heavy metal (lead) and other toxic materials
• Materials: Yarn strings, plastic beads, and foam (mini loom)
• Educational Value: Creativity, imagination, pretend play, and social skills
• Extra Features: Includes detailed full-color illustrations with design suggestions and handy tips 
• Certification: CPSIA; meets US, EU, and other safety standards
• Made In: China (reviewer on Amazon )
• Cons: Some complaints that the product is too complicated or the instructions aren’t detailed enough

“ Cute craft for my grand daughters. Worth the cost. ” – Reviewer on Walmart “ Instructions not very detailed or clear. ” – Reviewer on Melissa & Doug  

Kid Made Modern Arts and Crafts Supply Library (8+ years old)

• Pros & Best Features: Art and crafting kit with 1,000+ pieces
• Product Safety: Meets safety and quality standards; products designed and evaluated for potential risks and hazards
• Materials: Cloth, felt, paper, wood, glitter, and plastic
• Educational Value: Creativity, planning, imagination, fine motor skills , hand-eye coordination , and problem-solving skills
• Extra Features: Includes sticky back jewels, googly eyes, and an inspiration sheet
• Certification: Certified independent third-party laboratories
• Cons: Contains many small and sharp parts (choking and puncture risks for younger children)

“ This definitely has plenty of craft items in it. My grandchildren loved it. ” – Reviewer on Amazon “ Not really worth it. Glue spilled and it is very cheap. ” – Reviewer on Amazon

Crayola Deluxe Wooden Art Set – Over 75 Pieces (8+ years old)

• Pros & Best Features: 75+ art set
• Product Safety: Meets safety standards
• Materials: Safe and non-toxic coloring materials
• Educational Value: Creativity, fine motor skills , hand-eye coordination , and planning skills
• Extra Features: Includes wooden carrying case
• Certification: CPSC and ASTM
• Made In: Vietnam (according to Amazon )
• Cons: Contains small parts 

“ great gift for just about anybody really. ” – Reviewer on Amazon “ Omg, it is a mess!!!, terrible crayola product, even what it supposed to be washable it’s not very washable… ” – Reviewer on Amazon

Toys For Learning Life Skills

Melissa & doug deluxe magic set (8+ years old).

• Pros & Best Features: Magic set for 10 classic tricks
• Product Safety: Child-safe materials; free from lead (heavy metal) and other harmful or toxic materials
• Materials: Wood, paper, and cloth
• Educational Value: Creativity, practical life skills (becoming a magician), fine and gross motor skills, and hand-eye coordination
• Extra Features: Includes a guide with step-by-step instructions
• Cons: Several complaints about the lack of instructions (it’s actually found under the black cardboard); contains small parts that can be choking risks to younger children

“ Our 9 year-old grandson delighted the crowd at his 4 year-old sister’s birthday party. BIG HIT! ” – Reviewer on Amazon “ The mechanism that hides the ball broke after only a few tries. ” – Reviewer on Melissa & Doug  

LEGO Set – Heatwave Transforming Lava Dragon (8+ years old)

• ding and toy set with movable and transforming parts
• Product Safety: Free from harmful chemicals; child-safe materials that exceed safety standards
• Educational Value: Pretend and imaginative play , planning, fine motor skills , early engineering, hand-eye coordination , and social skills
• Extra Features: Includes mini figures and a purple “dragon element”
• Certification: US, European, and global safety standards for toys
• Cons: Plenty of small parts (choking risks to younger children); can be pricey

“ Beautiful build and play experience the transformation feature makes it super playful + the minifigures are just phenomenal. ” – Reviewer on LEGO “ Lego Ninjago prices have increased considerably. ” – Reviewer on LEGO  

Tips For Choosing Learning Toys For 8-Year-Olds

Toy safety for 8-year-olds.

Safety is always the #1 factor to consider when choosing toys for your little ones.

Many toys for 8-year-olds contain small parts that must be kept out of younger ones’ reach.

You’ll unlikely worry about choking risks for 8-year-olds but their toys must remain free from sharp parts, chemicals, or other hazards. 

Here’s a guide to checking for chemicals to avoid in children’s products: Our Family Health & Safety Philosophy .

It’s also important to monitor for toy recalls .

Some recent ones include the following:

• Rollerblade USA Inline Skates Recall (2023)
• Calico Critters recall (2023)
• Kids Preferred recall (2023)
• Target Toy recall (2022)
• Haba recall (2022)
• Kidoozie Play Tent recall (2022)
• Monti Kids recall (2022)

Learning Toys Based On Skills & Milestones For 8-Year-Olds

Consider toys that suit 8-year-olds ’ milestones, such as: (1)

• Can read simple sentences
• Can skip-count by 2s and 5s
• Can keep, follow, or create rules
• Can show interest in money and books
• Can use correct grammar but still needs improvement
• Can show interest in group activities

Other Factors To Consider

• Interactive toys that spark their imagination
• Great gifts based on their interests
• Review bestsellers & other products to find high-quality learning toys
• Simple but useful & interesting for 8-year-olds
• Smart toys (but with minimal screen time)

Other Gift Ideas & Learning Toys For Different Age Groups

• Best educational toys
• DIY Montessori toys
• Educational toys
• Educational baby toys
• Educational toys for toddlers
• Educational toys for 2-year-olds
• Educational toys for 3-year-olds
• Educational toys for 4-year-olds
• Educational toys for 5-year-olds
• Educational toys for 6-year-olds
• Educational toys for 7-year-olds
• Montessori baby toys
• Montessori climbing toys
• Montessori toys
• Montessori toys for toddlers
• Montessori toys for 1-year-olds
• Montessori toys for 3-year-olds
• Montessori toys for 4-year-olds
• Montessori wooden toys
• Outdoor toys for 1-year-olds
• Toys for 1-year-olds
• Toys for 2-year-olds
• Toys for 6-year-old boys
• Wooden educational toys

(1) https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/pregnancy-parenting/parenting-school-age-children-6-11-years/school-age-children-growth-and-7

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66 Gifts for 8 Year Old Boys

Our best 3 picks.

Air Hogs Gravitor with Trick Stick

Fly these USB-rechargeable drones with the power of your hands.

Interactive Marble-run Gravitrax

Ranked the #1 marble run system in the US, it comes with 122 pieces.

Fifty Amazing Magic Tricks

With tricks and props such as X-ray vision, traveling aces, and more.

Playmobil Horse Farm Building Set

Reviewers say it's a fun, durable playset with lots of accessories.

Interactive Glow in The Dark T-Shirt

Use the UV glow torch and laser pen to make creative drawings.

Walkie Talkies for Kids

They have a 3 km range, crisp sound, and a built-in flashlight.

Comfy Crocodile Sleeping Sack

Made of extremely soft polar fleece and it’s machine washable.

Transforms to reveal various features as you turn the power pads.

V-Tech Camera

Takes real digital photos and includes four built-in games and more.

Superhero Dress-Up Set

This 5-piece cape set includes matching masks and slap bracelets.

Elite Sportz Ring Toss Game

Easy to set up, great for indoor/outdoor use, and tests coordination.

Would You Rather Game Book

Has 100% kid-appropriate material and 200 all-new questions.

Metal Wire Puzzle Set

Includes 16 different quality metal wire puzzles to improve IQ and EQ.

Zzzopa Fidget Balls

Spin, bounce, and throw away the stress, and learn cool tricks too.

Archery Set For Kids

Develops kids hand-eye coordination and motor skills, with safe and durable materials.

With a jelly-like filling, its hypoallergenic and easy to clean.

Cooking Game

With 22 recipes, this board game encourages actual cooking.

Lego Dinosaur

Set can build T-rex, Triceratops, and Pterodactyl dinosaur toys.

Activity Book for Teens By Teens

102 pages of mandala coloring, M.A.S.H., dots, sudoku, and mazes.

Escape Room in a Box

Decipher clues, solve puzzles, and crack codes within 90 minutes.

5,000 Awesome Facts for Kids

Filled with photos and has 2-page spreads with a different topic each.

LET’S GO! Binoculars for Kids

With soft rubber for eye protection, high resolution, and shockproof.

Toysmith Tech Gear Multi Voice Changer

With 8 voice effects — the side levers adjust frequency and amplitude.

Rechargeable Game Activity Cube

Includes 9 games such as Tic Tac Go, Alien Hunt and Rocket Trail.

Marvel Trivia and Strategy Card Game

Includes 52 game cards, 6 clue cards, 1 card holder, and a box.

Klutz LEGO Chain Reactions

An 80-page instructional book to design and build 10 moving machines.

Guess in 10 Countries of The World Game

A trivia and strategy game with an average playtime of 20 minutes.

Toysmith 4M Magnetic Mini Tile Art

It has 12 2"x2” tiles, magnets, a paint strip, brush, and a manual.

Table Top Mini Bowling Game Set

Lightweight and made of safe material to encourage interactive play.

Flickin Chicken

Tossing game featuring 4 chickens, 1 target disc, and a score pad.

Roller Coaster Challenge

Includes a game board, 36 posts, 39 tracks, one car, and 40 cards.

Hot Wheels iD Race Portal

Play mini-games and track speeds and laps of up to 6 cars at a time.

Gamenote Colorful Kids Origami Kit

108 origami folding papers and 2 practice sheets — makes 54 patterns.

171Pcs Construction Set

Build a car, helicopter, tractor, etc. and develop problem-solving.

Kidzlane Light-up Dance Mat

Features 3 interactive games that have 5 difficulty levels.

Insect Lore Live Butterfly Growing Kit

Pop-up, reusable 11.5-inch mesh habitat including feeding dropper.

20pc Outdoor Explorer Set

Explore with a real compass, binoculars, magnifying glass and more.

4M Crystal Growing Science Experimental Kit

Get everything needed to create 7 real crystals that kids can display.

“Jokes for 8 Year Olds”

With a glossy front cover and a ‘From’ box inside for personalization.

Night Riderz Zipline Kit

A 10-foot braided nylon rope attachment holds the sturdy disk seat.

Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Game

With 2 walkie-talkies, 36 indoor, and 36 outdoor scavenger hunt cards.

Robot Building Toys for Boys

With 635 building blocks and remote control distance of up to 65 ft.

My Arcade Pac-Man Pocket Player

A handheld console with 3 built-in games and full-color display.

Goopow Kids Camera

LCD screen design including a 32GB SD card and 3 games.

Retro Mini Game with 500 Classic Games

A chargeable console with an 8-directions joystick and 500 games.

Electronic Piggy Bank

It features a lock and can store up to 600 coins and 100 paper bills.

Hover Soccer Balls

Scratch-free gliding over surfaces and with rubber bumpers for safety.

KMUYSL Punching Bag

The weighted stainless steel stand is height-adjustable — 30” to 43”.

Hand-controlled AMERFIST Flying Ball

It’s fall-resistant and can be thrown at different angles and speeds.

Carson Bugview Bug-Catching Tool

The thumb-operated trapping slider easily catches fast bugs humanely.

Hot Wheels Track Set

Once launched, cars continuously race until there’s a crash.

Crystal Growing Kit for Kids

With crystal powder, 4 bags of crystal seeds, 7 growing cups and more.

Pokémon Trainer Guess

Think of a Pokémon and the voice-recognition Poké Ball will guess it.

Foam Pogo Jumper

The bungees stretch to 48 inches for hours of healthy, bouncy fun.

Sedzofan Smart Watch for Kids

Features an HD touch screen, HD camera, music player, games and more.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Break Open 4 Geodes Science Kit

You get 4 crystal-filled geodes, a learning guide, and other add-ons.

Other Recommendations

Relaxed Fleece Crewneck Sweatshirt

Made of cotton, polyester, and fleece-lined with a classic cut.

The Original Reversible Octopus Plushie

This polyester toy is perfect for emotional communication.

V-Tech Smart Watch

Takes quality videos and pics and features a Monster Detector game.

AmScope Microscope Kit + Food

40-piece beginner kit featuring electrical illumination and filter.

Walkie-Talkies

It features 22 channels, a keypad lock as well as an LCD display.

The upside-down challenge game

Contains 100+ drawing and activity challenges and takes 20 minutes.

Nutty Toys Fidget Spinner Dimple Popper Sensory Toy

Assists in stress and anxiety-relief for kids with ADHD and autism.

Long Range Kids Walkie-Talkie

With 22 channels and maximum communication distance of up to 2 miles.

3Doodler Start+ Essentials 3D Pen Set for Kids

It’s designed with no hot parts and is completely safe for kids.

Water Marbling Paint Kit

Drop the paint into the water, swirl it then transfer this to paper.

Shopping for toys for 8-year-old boys can be a complicated task. They’re at the age where they’re interested in toys but want them to be more challenging. At this age, they want to find an outlet for their energy, they want to learn and engage all their developing abilities. Finding the toys that will suit them perfectly requires a bit of homework. In order to help you select the best toy for your 8-year-old nephew/son/brother, we did a lot of research and created this awesome gift guide. You’ll find an array of toys including funny, cool, and educational ones. And to make your buying experience even easier, we’ve added some useful pointers.

Choosing the best toys for 8 year old boys

8-year-old boys are caught between being children and young adolescents. They’re naturally more independent and prefer tackling challenges themselves, their motor skills become precise and they gravitate towards more complex games and activities as their concentration spans increase.

Boys this age are uncovering new interests, likes, and dislikes as they explore the world around them. Toys that test and encourage their logic and reasoning abilities, and that facilitate independent play and learning will appeal to them at this age. Toys and games that promote physical activity and strengthen and test their fine motor skills are also ones to consider. 

How we identified the best toys for 8 year old boys

As a result of their cognitive skills developing even further and their motor skills being fine-tuned, 8-year-old boys begin to value independence greatly. We chose toys that will encourage and facilitate these milestones. 

They enjoy tasks that challenge them and allow them to problem-solve independently. The educational puzzles, brain games, and building kits we selected will test their cognitive and reasoning abilities, and stimulate them mentally. Many of these toys will also promote learning as they develop new capabilities.

Boys this age are curious and want to explore and learn more about the world. By doing so, they also learn more about themselves and their unique interests. They also tend to enjoy physical and outdoor activities with their friends. To keep him active and entertained, we opted for a host of fun outdoor toys and games that he can play with by himself or in a social setting.    

Tips for buying the best toys for 8 year old boys

• Make learning fun 8-year-old boys just wanna have fun! And they want to do so while learning. If a toy or gadget — even if it’s solely an educational one — is engaging and entertaining, it will hold his attention for even longer, and he’ll get the most out of it.
• Consider his unique milestones While the developmental shift is fairly universal at this age, it’s well worth remembering that all children hit their milestones in their own time. Choose a toy based on the milestones he’s achieved or is in the process of hitting. This will ensure that it best facilitates his individual strengths. 
• Listen to him 8-year-old boys tend to talk about their interests and what they enjoy doing in depth. If you’ve paid attention, you may find that he’d prefer something like a coding robot over a gift like a bicycle, for example.  

Are toys for 8-year-old boys easy to find?

When you start researching toys for 8-year-old boys, you realize that online stores and walk-in shops have many suitable options. So yes, toys for 8-year-old boys are readily available and easy to find. You, however, do need to know what the child’s interests are because what appeals to one 8-year-old may not appeal to another. Having this information will ensure the toy you buy is put to good use.

What are the best gifts for 8-year-old boys?

Experts say that your middle school child is at a stage where they have a rapidly developing vocabulary. They also have better balance and their movement is becoming more fluid which makes it easier to engage in various physical activities. With these developmental milestones in mind, the best gifts for 8-year-old boys are therefore those that’ll help further develop these skills. A skateboard, a bike, roller skates, educational kits, arts and crafts kits are all great gift options for them.

What are some tips for getting toys for boys 8 years old?

To determine what toys the 8-year-old boy will enjoy, consider his personality and his stage of development. If he enjoys spending time playing outdoors then get him toys that help him do so and if he prefers staying indoors – nose buried in a book then get him toys he can enjoy indoors. Remember at this stage he is starting to value friendships and may even start asking for sleepovers. So, consider getting him toys that encourage group play so that he can enjoy using them with his friends.

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Gifts For 10 Year Old Girls

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Gifts For 4 Year Old Girls

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Gifts For 3 Year Olds

Confused about the appropriate toys to get for your 3-year-old? Look no further!

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53 Unique Gifts for 8 Year Olds That They'll Actually Get Excited For

We surveyed tons of teachers and tots to come up with this definitive guide of the best gifts and toys for 8 year olds.

Country Living editors select each product featured. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?

There are some age groups that are fairly easy to gift for. For instance, you can't go wrong getting a teen girl skincare or makeup, and most toddlers are guaranteed to love any toy with wheels. 8 years old is not one of those easy-gifting ages. At the age where they've started developing opinions, 8 year-olds likes and dislikes are almost constantly changing. What they liked last year, or even last week, is definitely old news now. So you can't be reliant on getting them the same gift you got them when they turned 7 — rookie mistake.

It can feel tough to decode kids at this age, which is why we went straight to the experts to find out what 8 year-olds like: the children themselves! We talked to Lydia Michel, an outdoorsy 8 year-old girl who "loves bike riding, Dog Man books, and funny movies." And her recommendations might surprise you — instead of loving super tech-y gifts like video games that you might suspect, Lydia told us that a lot of kids her age actually love retro and classic gifts. Think a good old craft kit or a new journal.

The Best Gifts for 8 Year-Olds

• STMT DIY Beaded Jewelry Kit , $16 on Amazon
• Junie B. Jones Complete Kindergarten Collection , $45 on Amazon
• Fidget Cube , $12 on Amazon
• Dog Man : The Supa Epic Collection , $38 on Amazon
• 4M Green Creativity Pressed Flower Art Kit , $15 on Amazon
• OUTREE Kids Pod Hanging Swing Seat , $40 on Amazon
• NPW Classic Sound Machine , $18 on Amazon
• FULLOSUN Kids Night Light , $17 on Amazon
• Jumbo Indoor/Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Dice , $30 on Uncommon Goods
• The Woobles Beginners Crochet Kit , $35 on Amazon

To bring in a different perspective we also talked to teachers to get their opinions of the best gifts for 8 year-olds, and, in a surprise to no one, they recommended educational gifts that keep kids engaged. Books are always a good option, but the teachers we talked to also emphasized the importance of STEM-related gifts that can teach kids new hobbies like coding.

Of course, it's always important to know the interests of the kid you're gifting for before clicking "buy now." While a tech-loving boy might love a self-coding video game, the 8 year-old girl in your life might prefer a DIY headband kit. And if your kiddo is on the cusp of another age, then it can't hurt to look into these other age-specific gift guides, as well.

More age-specific gift guides:

• The Best Gifts for 7-Year-Olds
• The Best 10-Year-Old Girl Gifts
• The Best 10-Year-Old Boy Gifts
• The Best 13-Year-Old Boy Gifts
• The Best Gifts for Teens

STEM Gifts for 8 Year-Olds

Mini Puzzle Blocks

Meet the building blocks for a new generation. These mini puzzle blocks can transform into just about anything your eight-year-old can come up with, from a beach scene to a race car track. Kids can create mosaics in 2-D or 3-D figurines and sculptures.

Stomp Racers

Bring all the fun of Stomp Rockets to the world of racing with this toy. Kids simply jump on the pump and watch their car race to the finish line — and see if they can beat their competitor.

Create Your Own Video Game Set

Introduce them to the world of coding in the most fun way possible — by creating their own video game. Kids can use the free, beginner-friendly website to learn coding languages like JavaScript and Python to make different 8-bit challenges and versions of classic arcade games they can play on their new console.

Fidget Cube

Fidget cubes were at the top of the list of many eight-year-olds we talked to. This tiny little box packs a punch when it comes to keeping fidgety fingers entertained. It has a roller ball, clickable buttons, a glider, spinning circle, and flip switch.

Speks Blots Silicone Stress Ball

This silicone fidget toy is therapist-approved and beloved by kids and adults alike. It's a step up from the traditional stress ball due to the ergonomic arms that branch off, making the toy easy for small hands to grasp.

Home Science Experiment Manual

West Virginia native Emily Calandrelli ( @thespacegal) is a former MIT engineer turned Netflix host ( Emily's Wonder Lab ) turned author. Her new-ish book, which came out in fall of 2022, includes 50 fun at-home experiments for curious kids. With a variety of charts, images, and text, the design keeps kids engaged without overwhelming them with tons of information.

Glow in The Dark Fort Building Set

You can convince yourself that this fort building set is for them, but it'd make for a pretty cool hideout for grownups, too. The rods take 30 minutes to light up, so expect to see them amazed when they realize that the unlit sticks the started out with transformed into a fort of light when they're finished.

If you've been around an 8 year-old boy recently, then you know that they'll find this 100% more hilarious than anyone else. They can match the beast with their business — all with a dose of friendly competition along the way.

Jumbo Indoor/Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Dice

We love a game that not only gets kids outdoors, but also gets the entire family involved! Save this present for those beautiful weekends or summer days when you can't help but be outside, but you're just not sure what to do. A scavenger hunt is the best boredom buster!

Creative Gifts for 8 Year-Olds

Beginners Crochet Kit

If their age is eight but they're truly an old soul, then odds are they'll love the art of crochet. This beginners kit includes a step-by-step video tutorial and a super forgiving style. They'll be so proud showing off their latest creation.

DIY Headband Kit

She's past the age of wearing bows, but her outfit doesn't feel complete without a hair accessory. Enter: headbands. She'll love letting her creativity flow with this kit that allows her to interchange different charms based on her style or mood that day. And as most of us know: an eight-year-old girls style is a constantly-evolving force.

Your Little Artist Coffee Table Book

We all know your eight-year-old is the next Georgia O'Keefe or Henri Matisse — now it's time to make him or her feel that way! Put some of their favorite works in this book and allow them to fill in the quotes from the artist section. They'll be so proud when they see their art displayed on the coffee table.

Fashion Fidgets Mermaids Fantasy

It might be hard to believe, but this tiny mermaid includes over 15 different fidget toys that spin, click, stretch, pull, and more. Girls will love trading the removable tails with all of their friends, and then heart-shaped keychain makes it the perfect backpack accessory.

Crayola Inspiration Art Case

Collectively featuring 140 markers, colored pencils, and Crayons, this is a sound investment for kids of all sorts. Besides, any parent knows that all the markers currently hanging around the house are all dried up. If you've got a girly-girl on your hands, then be sure to opt for the pink version.

DIY Beaded Jewelry Kit

Sure, you could buy her some Taylor Swift-style friendship bracelets, but if there's one thing eight year olds love, it's a craft. And can it even be considered a friendship bracelet if it isn't handmade? This kit has more aesthetically pleasing bead options so she can flex that creative muscle.

Spy Labs Master Detective Toolkit V2

What kid doesn't love pretending to be a spy? This master tool kit has a fingerprint brush, invisible ink pen, crime scene tape, and so much more. There are 26 different experiments for kiddos to conduct, so there's no doubt that this kit will keep them busy for quite some time. Consider it the kid's version of a murder mystery game.

Pressed Flower Art Kit

When in doubt, take it back to the basics. Just about every kid will enjoy an excuse to spend a little time outside, and this pressed flower art kit is the perfect one for the crafty 8-year-old in your life. It gives them everything they'll need to make bookmarks, trinket boxes, and greeting cards.

Liberty Classic Floral Origami Flower Kit

This kit has everything they'll need to craft beautiful origami flowers right at home. Each kit includes 75 sheets of origami paper in gorgeous Liberty of London prints, along with 15 sheets of double-sided paper, and instructions to make a Kusudama flower ball as well as a flower design with three variations. Thanks to the gorgeous prints, this is one craft that will totally fit in with Mom's house décor.

Hannah Jones is the Commerce Editor for Country Living. Her eye is always on the next up-and-coming products to include in gift guides and she's ready to test everything from dog beds to garden tools for product reviews. When she’s not scoping out the latest and greatest items on the market, you can find her hanging with her two rescue dogs.

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The 7 Best Toys For 8-Year-Old Boys

Published: September 11, 2023 by Kristina Larson | Leave a comment

Congratulations on having an 8-year-old to celebrate! By now, you've probably realized how much bigger and more mature your child has become over the past year. So when it comes to purchasing a toy for your kiddo, what should you look for?

8-year-old are usually ready for something a little more challenging. Depending on the child, they might be looking for a new mental activity to complete or a new outlet for their energy. Additionally, 8-year-olds are ready to find new ways to express their creativity.

With so many toys, activities, games, and items on the market, you may be wondering what to gift your child. What toys inspire an 8-year-old to be creative and build their confidence ? What unique finds instill independence without being just another thing to play with? Let's take a closer look at some of the best toys for 8-year-old boys.

©iStock.com/galitskaya

What to Look for in Toys for 8-Year-Old Boys

As mentioned, 8-year-olds are typically looking to take on new challenges. Their independence has grown in leaps and bounds over the past year as well. Even imaginative play has gone to new heights and problem-solving skills are becoming more sophisticated. So whether you're looking for books, crafts, outdoor equipment, or STEM activities, here are a few things to think about before buying your next toy for your 8-year-old:

• Does the toy you're thinking about purchasing align with your child's individual interests? Just because a toy is labeled for a boy in your child's age range doesn't mean they'll find it interesting. Think about what they love before purchasing.
• Is the toy durable?
• How engaging is the toy?
• Does the toy match their growing attention span?
• Does the toy allow for open-ended play or does it only have one purpose?

As you search for the best toy for your 8-year-old boy, keep in mind that your child is learning more independence and developing friendships. Finding a toy that aligns with his age and specific skills can encourage your child to keep growing and developing.

The 7 Best Toys for 8-Year-Old Boys

There are numerous toys on the market today for 8-year-old boys. Not all toys are created equal, however. Here are 7 of the top-rated and best toys for your child.

BrainBolt Memory Game

While this light-up memory game is great for both kids and adults, it's especially perfect for 8-year-old boys. This game builds problem-solving skills, enhances memories, and sparks confidence as kids work to remember the light-up sequence. Kids can also play with a friend in the two-player mode and this game is a perfect screen-free option during longer car rides. With over 8,000 reviews, this product is known for its ability to exercise brain function and create fun for the whole family.

• Lights up a pattern that children must follow along to for as long as they can.
• Great for any kids over the age of 7.
• Offers a two-player mode so friends can play, too.

Gravitrax Marble Run

The Gravitrax marble run starter kit is a great way for kids to work on problem-solving skills and complete challenges. This specific kit comes with 122 pieces that your child can use to make their own customizable track. Once the track is complete, kids can work to get a marble from beginning to end, ultimately learning scientific lessons about gravity, magnetism, and kinetics. Reviewers love that this toy is great for both kids and adults. The Gravitrax is also loved for the length of entertainment it can provide to a child as well as its open-ended play structure.

• Comes with 122 pieces that kids can customize into their own track.
• Promotes science play with gravity, magnetism, and kinetics.
• Offers open-ended play and creativity,

Lego Gear Bots

With a twist on regular Lego blocks, Lego Gear Bots offer a STEM activity for kids ages 8-12. Each kit contains 8 physics-driven kinetic creatures that can be created from both Lego bricks and cardboard. If your kiddo is interested in engineering, this gift might be right up their alley with its focus on axles, cams, and cranks. A book with step-by-step instructions is also included. Reviewers felt this toy was perfect for rainy days and helped to inspire independence in children.

• Legos or STEM sets increase cognitive, spatial, logical, and creative skills.
• The set comes with all the engineering pieces you need.
• It also provides in-depth instructions.

TOSY LED Flying Disc

The TOSY LED flying disc is a great toy to spur activity and exercise in your 8-year-old. This take on a traditional frisbee is durable and has adjustable brightness and a timer mode. It's also waterproof, rechargeable, and floats. With LED lighting, this toy can also be used at night, keeping your child active even after the sun goes down. This disc is also a great addition to camping trips. The glowing reviews on this flying disc state that it's a great size, shape, and weight for frisbee tossing. It also charges quickly and has a long-lasting battery for extended use.

• Includes LED lights with adjustable brightness.
• Waterproof, floatable, and includes rechargeable batteries.
• Perfectly mimics original frisbee.

Pixicade Mobile Game Maker

If you're looking for a new creative activity for your 8-year-old, consider purchasing the Pixicade Mobile Game Maker. This activity provides paper so your child can draw a picture. Then, your child can use a device such as an iPad to snap a picture of their drawing. By downloading the app, your child can then play a game made from their very own drawing. Kids can also play their friends' games and the books that are included in each kit give kids over 1,200 game ideas to choose from. This game is also award-winning including Newsweek's Best in Stem award and Mom's Choice Award. Reviewers enjoy how it builds creativity and problem-solving skills in kids as well as the positive screen time option it gives kids.

• Award-winning STEM game.
• Encourages an active and engaged mind.
• Easy to use instructions.
• Promotes creativity and positive screen time.

Electronic Drum Practice Pad

Do you have an aspiring musician in the house? This practice pad includes 7 different drums that make real drum sounds, as well as drumsticks, and headphones. The headphones are perfect for quieter times, while the drums can also be hooked up to a speaker. With a couple of batteries, this set can be rolled up and transported on the go if needed as well. This drum pad is ideal for drum beginners and even comes with 2 pedals that emulate the bass drum and Hi-hat. Reviewers love that this set gives kids a chance to practice without the loud noise of a typical set. This set also allows parents to see how interested their child is in drums before purchasing a full set.

• Mimics an actual drum set.
• Includes headphones for quiet play.
• Great for beginning drummers.
• Includes 7 drum pads, drumsticks, 2 pedals to mimic bass drum and hi-hat, USB power cable, audio cable, and headphones.

Solar Power Robots

This solar-powered robot kit gives kids a chance to learn new STEM skills as they create different robots from start to finish. There are enough parts in the kit to create 13 different robots, ranging from simple to more complex. The robots are then powered by solar energy and can move on either land or water depending on the type that is built. Items are included in the kit to also allow the robot to work by using a battery. Future engineers will love how easy it is to assemble, dissemble, and reassemble multiple robots. The reviews state that this toy is great for building patience and offers hours of fun.

• Increases STEM knowledge
• Create up to 13 different robots
• Durable, smooth, and safe for young children
• Teaches about solar energy
• Ignites imagination, creativity, critical thinking skills, and more

Final Thoughts

8-year-old boys are fun, energetic, and ready to take on new challenges. While the toys listed here meet many of those needs, keep in mind that you know your child best. When searching for a new toy for your child, be sure to think about what they enjoy most and how the toy you're purchasing can help them to continue to learn and grow.

Additionally, look for toys that offer different ways to play instead of serving just one specific purpose. Whether your child is looking to try a new activity, take on a new game, or learn more about science, the toys listed here have something for every 8-year-old boy.

Further Reading

• The 11 Best Toys for 7-Year-Old Boys
• The 4 Best Toys for 9-Year-Old Boys
• The 10 Best Toys for 10-Year-Old Boys
• The 15 Best Toys for 6-Year-Old Boys

The image featured at the top of this post is ©U. J. Alexander/Shutterstock.com.

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Great Gifts for 8 Year Old Boys

We have great gifts for 8 year old boys tried and tested by actual 8 year olds, so you know you'll be the best birthday gift-giver at the party. From classic arcade games, to robotic dinosaurs, and neat gadgets, every eight year old's birthday will improve when they open their gift. We can send your present gift wrapped with a handwritten card as well!

• Dinosaur Toys
• Educational
• Outdoor Fun
• Brainiac Toys
• Fashion & Style
• Not Made in China
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Spy X Night Mission Goggles

For night-time exploring and adventures - see in the dark!

Metal Detector - Detects to 6" Depth

Lights up & sounds for different types of metal - scour for treasure!

Orbiter Flying Ball - Control with your Hand!

Easy to use, with bright LEDs and infrared sensors – very cool!

Tin Can Robot - Make your Own

Transform a metal can into a fun bog-eyed walking robot - brilliant!

Marble Games - Test Your Skills

Enjoy traditional games with 25 glass marbles - marble-ous fun!

Minecraft Magnetic Travel Puzzle - 40 challenges

Solve fun logic puzzles from Easy to Expert - defeat the Ender Dragon!

Birthday Approaching

...order before 4pm EST & we'll ship today!

Astroshot - Hovering Target Game

Hit glowing balls hovering in mid-air - awesome shooting game!

Gross Factopia - 400 Fun Foul Facts!

From crocodile poo as make-up to the longest fingernails ever - gross!

Science Myths Debunked - It's just Not True!

Explore 100 of the world's greatest untruths in this brilliant book!

Thumbler - Lights up with just a Swirl!

Cool gyroscopic fidget creates a dazzling display with colorful LEDs.

iMagic - Virtual Reality Phone Magic

Perform amazing tricks on your phone with App - smart magic!

Mirror Mazes - Reflect Challenge Game

Using a mirror image, race to complete your maze first - 100 games.

We can gift wrap for you

& write a card!

Box of Frogs - Sticky, Squishy, Stretchy & Yucky!

Two large & colourful frogs that stick anywhere - great for pranks!

World's Smallest Microscope

Explore the world in cool 10X magnification - miniature but mighty!

The Super, Epic, Mega Joke Book

Best kids joke book we have found - & we are the experts.

Smart Soccer Ball - Counts Juggles & Kick-ups for You!

Soccer ball with lights & sounds that counts aloud with your tricks.

Sound Bites - 20 Funny Sound Effects

For when you need an excited Whoopee, Game Over or even a Whatever!

Spin Copter LED - Light up the Night!

Blasts up to 150 feet, looking like a firework & floats down - wow!

Just For Boys Bracelets - Cool Dude!

Cool bracelets in imitation leather with metal chains & silver beads

Extreme Astroshot - Side to Side Moving Target!

Shoot soft foam balls at a moving target & score - ultimate shoot-out!

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Dragon Glider - Flies 80 Feet

Smooth gliding & easy to throw - an awesome flying dragon!

Harmonica Set - Learning Music Made Easy!

Inspired set teaches you how to play this 4-hole harmonica easily.

Microjet - Returning Boomerang Plane

Throw this super smooth plane up to 10ft & it always comes back!

Bean Boozled - Jelly Bean Challenge, Yummy or Not?

Test your tongue's fortune in this sweet vs. gross tasting game.

BrainBolt - Fast Light-Up Memory Game

Can you think quick & remember the sequence of lights correctly?

Dino Poop - Bath Bombs!

Fragrant, fizzy balls of colorful dino poo to plop in the bath!

The Upside Down Challenge - Very Funny!

Hilarious challenges wearing goggles that turn everything upside down.

Paper Planes Creative Kit - Fold & Fly!

Make uniquely designed paper planes in funky, bright patterns.

Spy X Voice Disguiser - Who is it?

Disguise your voice & play back on demand to confuse rival spies.

600,000 gifts delivered

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Sticky Wall Crawlers - Watch them Go!

Throw at walls & windows, then watch them move down - splat & crawl!

6 in 1 Solar Recycler - Fun Green Energy!

Build six moving robot models using recyclable items & solar power.

Galaxy Light Swords - Interactive Set of 2

Pair of color-changing swords to do battle, with fun sound effects.

Solar Explorer 6 in 1 Kit - Easy Build

Learn about solar power building fun mini robots that move.

Lazer Trap Alarm - Invisble Beams

Protect your stuff - break the beam & sound the alarm.

Tetris - Handheld Game with Original Sounds

Officially licensed, portable 3.5" version of the famous arcade game.

Let's Explore Oceans - Virtual Reality Set

Experience sealife with a VR headset, immersive app & activities!

Infinity Loop Flow Rings - Kinetic Marvel!

Flows & rolls along your arm like a metallic bubble - the new craze!

Blocky Book Light - A Bright Idea!

Flexible reading light with a block design - coolest on the block!

Pac-Man - Handheld Classic Game

Dog Crimes - Who's to Blame Logic Game

Use deduction skills to solve 40 canine crimes & sniff out suspects!

100 Pawsome Cat Jokes

Fun set of hilarious (& cringe) cat jokes stored in a cat shaped box!

Sonic Booma Sports Boomerang - Returns Every Time!

Awesome boomerang with whistling wings & 60' flight range.

Spy Wrist Talkies - Be a Secret Agent

Pair of cool walkies with a 100ft range, disguised as digital watches!

Wicked Pranks & Jokes - For The Prankster!

Outrageous belly laughs - 100 mischief-making jokes with props.

Lights From Anywhere - Illuminating Magic!

Make a light leap from hand to hand, come out of your ear & disappear.

Only In America - Fun Activity Book

Packed with fascinating facts, fun puzzles & games from all 50 States.

GeoSafari SeaScope - See Underwater

Explore secret underwater habitats in 5X magnification - awesome!

Science Mysteries Explained - Genius!

Explore 100 of the world's greatest questions in this engaging book!

Flip Clock - Four Cool Functions

Kid-friendly 3in clock with alarm, timer, calendar & more - smart!

Choices making you dizzy?

Chess Teacher - Learn to Play the Game

Each large named piece shows how it moves - clever aid to learning.

Sharks Tattoos - 50 Temporary Tattoos

Awesome book of temporary tattoos - packed with fascinating facts!

World's Smallest Voice Changer

Zany electronic 2.75" megaphone changes into four different voices.

Magno Darts - Magnetic Dart Game

A 14.5" dartboard and 12 safe, sure-stick magnetic darts - game on!

Slam Dunk Zzzopa Ball - Spin it, Bounce it, Throw it, Fidget!

Bouncing ball you can spin on your fingertips - the new fidgety craze!

MagiCandle - Makes Every Party Spectacular!

Create a dazzling light show on your birthday cake!

WindBots - 6 in 1 Robot Build Kit

Build wind-powered robots that can walk, fly & sail - brilliant fun.

Amazing Magic Pens - 25 Color Changing Markers

Create 3D lettering, change colors & even write invisible messages.

LED Light Up Gloves - Age 8 to 13

Awesome LED gloves with 6 colorful light modes - light up the night!

Zorbi Magic Flying Saucer - Incredible Illusion

Cool 3" disc with LEDs seems to hover in mid-air - just like magic!

Salt Water Engine Car

Build your own engine car - powered by salt water drops!

Raven Crossdart - Fires up to 50 feet!

Cool toy crossbow with super-safe suction darts - amazingly accurate.

Root Beer - Brew Your Own Science Set

Brew 2 gallons of your own root beer with natural ingredients - fun!

This or That - 200 Quirky Questions

Fun game of 50/50 answers, which weighs more, turkey or velociraptor?

Scoot Drone - Control with your Hand!

Easy to fly & perform 360 stunts with infrared sensors - indoor drone.

The Boys' Doodle Book - 100+ Illustrations

Amazing pictures to complete & create - fantastic fun!

Flashing Blue LED Baseball Cap

Lights up or flashes in funky electric blue - the coolest of caps.

Scabs 'N' Guts - Yucky Board Game!

Answer gross questions about the human body & discover cool new facts.

Throwback Pocket Video Console

Harken back to the golden age of gaming with over 150 games!

Mega Bounce XTR - Bounces over 30 feet!

The world's bounciest ball - bounces higher than a 2 story building!

We have 12 types of gift wrap for you

…and we do the wrapping!

ICEE Machine - Coldest Drink in Town

Make refreshing slushies for hot summer days - very cool!

Storm Rider Stunt Car - Awesome 360 Spins

Easy driving RC stunt car with LED lights & sound effects - superb.

IQ Gears - 120 Logic Challenges

From Easy to Expert, fit pieces together to complete the connection!

Water Magic Straws - Fun Fizzy Flavors

Fresh lemonade & berry fizz explodes with flavor in your water

Jellyfish Lamp - Color Changing Mood Light

Amazingly lifelike jellyfish move around as the light changes color.

Slip 'n Slide - Super Fast Water Slide!

Easy to set up 16 ft water slide - build a waterpark in your yard!

Fun Tape Measure - Filled with Silly Facts

Shows the size of the largest diamond to how high a pig can jump!

Mega Bounce H2O - Bounces on Water!

Awesome 3" ball smoothly bounces & skips on water - poolside fun!

Mexican Train Dominoes - Plays Train Sounds!

Classic game with 91 colorful dominoes & a train hub that makes sound!

Solar System String Lights - LED Planets

Bring the Solar System into your room with ten awesome planet lights.

Interactive Glow T-Shirt - Black age 7-8

Draw on the glow in the dark canvas panel with UV light - stand out!

Fifty Greatest Card Tricks - Marvin's Magic

Learn how to do impressive card tricks & seem incredibly clever!

Wandini - Magic LED Levitation Wand

Dazzle friends with a magic, levitating light wand that changes color!

Inflatable Toss Target Practice - Two sports in one!

Improve your accuracy against a 44'' football & baseball player.

Waboba LED Flyer - Lights Up on Impact!

How long can you keep this feathered Flyer off the ground?

Who am I? - Classic Guessing Game

Hilarious fun guessing who or what is on your headband - Am I a fish?

Action Camera - Waterproof HD WiFi

Compact mountable HD video camera with tripod, memory card & WiFi.

Guess Poo? Game - Flush Them Out!

Identify the mystery poop in this laugh-a-minute game - doo-lightful!

Amazing Artist Kit - Learn to Draw

Brilliant pack with pencils, pastels, charcoal, techniques & more!

Fifty Pranks to Freak Your Friends

Everything you need to be a semi-professional prankster.

Crystal Coral Reef - Grow Your Own!

Cool science kit - grow 3 colorful coral formations with crystals.

Mega Spin Gravity - Yo-Yo the Easy Way!

Light-up yo-yo automatically returns to your hand - nice and easy!

Detective Toolkit - Ten Unsolved Mysteries!

Help Sherlock Holmes solve tricky cases with this fun interactive kit.

Bubble Gum Workshop - Make Your Own

Make over a quarter pound of tasty homemade bubble gum - sweet!

Illusion Cubes - 120 Fun 3D Challenges

Crazy optical illusion puzzles to baffle your brain & wow your eyes!

Bouncing Planets - Make your Own

Make amazing multicolor balls that bounce & look like planets - cool!

Escape from the Aquarium

Solve puzzles & create a magic potion in this fun escape room game!

Comic Book Kit - Make Your Own

Creative set with tools & tips to make your own comic - totally super!

Green Rocket - Blast up to 80 feet!

Upcycle drink bottles & paper to power up your rocket - blast off!

Dragon - 3D Cardboard Model Kit

Make a cool 2.5" dragon with layers of sturdy cardboard - awesome!

Math Magic - Astonish your Friends!

Read minds & perform funny math tricks, entertaining & clever!

Ukick - Tricks & Stunts to Master

Keep the UKick in the air for as long as you can - the new craze!

Temple Trap - Fun Logic Thinking Game

Escape the deadly temple - 60 fun challenges to test the brain!

Adventure Scope - Flexible Digital Camera to Explore

Flexible scope with LED lighting, 2.3'' viewing screen & SD card.

IQ Circuit - 120 Challenges

From Easy to Expert, can you connect the dots to complete the circuit?

Fingerprint Kit - Be a Detective!

Record, collect & identify fingerprints with this fascinating kit.

IQ Mini - Fun Logic Challenges

Brilliant pocket-sized single player game - there's always a solution!

Hexbug Fire Ant - With Mini Remote Control

Speedy 2" robotic ant glows as it scuttles along - awesome!

Burger Balance - Relish the challenge!

Stack the wooden burger without toppling over - fun balancing game.

Shut the Box - Classic Wooden Numbers Game

Flip tiles to match the dice & shut the box - quick thinking fun!

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Twister Light - Color Changing Tornado

Color-changing mood light with a mesmerizing tornado effect - cool.

Charlie & the Chocolate Factory - Marvelous Math

Fun number games based on Roald Dahl's popular story – splendiferous!

Cats & Boxes - Logic Puzzle Game

Fun cat-themed logic game with 60 challenges from easy to expert.

COOL LED Light Up Glasses - Blue & Red Neon

Cool dude glasses light up & flash - stand out from the crowd!

Zombie Brains - Bath Bombs to Die For!

Fizzing, fragrant bath bombs with a brainy twist - for zombie fans!

Tetris Brain Teaser Puzzle

Can you fit all seven wooden pieces on the board? Simple, or not!

IQ Puzzler Pro - 2D & 3D Brain Teaser

Over 100 multi-level challenges from easy to expert - brilliant fun.

Drawing People - Made Easy!

Learn to create fun characters with simple step-by-step instructions.

Twistii - The Torch With A Twist

The world's first rotating wrist light - sleek, cool & comfortable.

Bugs 'N' Slugs - Creepy Crawly Board Game!

Answer fun questions about insects & discover fascinating new facts.

Genius Square - Race to Fill the Grid

Clever 2-player puzzle game - place the wooden pieces quickest to win!

Indoor Basketball Set - Slam Dunk!

Practice shooting hoops indoors with quiet silicone ball & hoop board.

Slingshot Glider - Awesome Flying at High Speed!

Launched by slingshot - the harder you pull the further it flies!

Puzzle a Day - Professor Puzzle IQ

Collection of 365 brain teasers, puzzles & riddles - test your mind!

Star Maker Video Kit - HD Pocket Camera

Camera, microphone, tripod, lights & more - create cool content!

Pac-Man Puzzles - 100 Classic Challenges

Fun visual puzzles with 10 levels of difficulty to test your brain.

Zzzopa Spinning Soccer Ball - Bounce it, Spin It, Fidget!

Bouncing ball you can spin on your fingertips - soccer fidget spinner!

Illuminated Sand Art - Color Changing

Glass frame with shifting sand & an illuminated base - mesmerizing.

Color Changing Nebula Mood Light

Stylish mood light changes color with swirling effects - mesmerizing.

Chameleon - 3D Cardboard Model Kit

Make a cool 2.75" chameleon with layers of sturdy cardboard - cute!

Ripley's Believe It Or Not - Beyond The Bizarre!

Strange stories, hair raising oddities, fun facts & terrific pictures

Super Bendy Light - Strike a Pose!

Fun light with bendy poseable legs to grab, cling & attach anywhere!

Turtle Soapstone Carving Kit

Easily carve a unique 3.5" sculpture from soft stone - turtle-y cool!

IQ Digits - 120 Logic Challenges

From Easy to Expert, fit pieces together & make the numbers add up!

Human Body Cube Book - Clever!

Learn all about the human body with fascinating facts & diagrams.

Phone Escape Room - Crack the Code

An Escape Room game for your phone - work together to solve the clues.

Einstein's Freedom - Lock Puzzle

Shift the pieces to open the lock - puzzle to challenge the brain!

Plop Trumps - It's the Business!

Trumps with a difference - a perfect blend of science and yuck-factor.

Marble Maze - Q-BA Interlocking Cubes

Build marble run towers with unique 3-cube system - awesome fun!

Waboba Wingman - Flying Silicone Disc

Flies straight over 40 yards - then fold up & fit in your pocket!

Hyper Pipe - Awesome Bike Blaster!

Makes realistic engine sounds like a motorbike - very cool.

Little Pack of Optical Illusions - 50 Cards

Selection of mind-bending visual tricks to baffle your brain - wow!

Jumbo Mutating Stress Ball - Color Changing!

Big stress calls for a 4'' stress ball - squeeze the frustration away!

Snow Ball - Squishy, Squeezy, Scrunchy!

Brilliant 2" squishy ball feels and sounds like crunchy fresh snow.

Intruder Alarm - Build your Own

Fun build project to fit to the door of your room - Keep Out!

Electric Paper Plane - Power Up your Flight

Paper airplane with a rechargeable propeller - 30 second flight, wow!

Shakewave - Wobbly Tower Challenge

Hilarious stacking game full of suspense - be careful of the wobbles!

Battling Tops - Spinning Tops Game

Four quick-spinning tops do battle - which is the last one standing?

Alien Hat - With Flappy Answering Arms!

Hilarious hat flips up with YES or NO, with awesome glowing eye too.

Air Square - Long Range Flights!

Uniquely designed flying disc for easy throwing & Wow distances!

Build a Fort - Glow in the Dark 85 Piece Set

Build different play structures - way better than sheets on chairs!

Dinosaurs - Under the X-Ray

Use the UV torch to x-ray & identify parts & learn fascinating facts.

Nacho Stack - Spicy Game of Skill!

Balance cards & wooden jalapeños without toppling the pile - awesome!

Atlantis Escape - 60 logic challenges

Solve fun logic puzzles from Easy to Expert - escape the sinking city!

Asteroid Escape - 60 Fun Logic Challenges

Space themed brain-teasing challenges, can your spaceship escape?

Waboba Moon Ball - Crazy Bouncing!

Mini ball with a crazy unpredictable spin - out of this world!

Drone Home - Race to Launch your Alien!

Fast-paced game with a real flying drone - it's a race to outer space!

Push-n-Popz - Bubble Fidget Game

Fun tactile game that glows in the dark - one pop & you can't stop!

World Timeline Tape Measure - Unravel History!

Historical dates from the Big Bang to the Internet - tape measure too!

Shashibo Moon - Shape Shifting Fidget Toy

Tactile magnetic fidget transforms into 70 shapes - so satisfying!

May Contain Butts - Wacky Card Game

Hilarious card matching game of spotting a front & butt match!

Instant Blizzard - Make your own Snow!

Fluffy, realistic snow - just add water & watch the magic happen!

Einstein's Number Puzzle - How Smart are You?

Sudoku-like wooden puzzle to test the brain - smart as Einstein?

Big Top Circus - Put on a Show!

Learn to juggle, make model balloons & other fun circus tricks.

Mini Tornado LED Stunt Car - 360 Spins

Stunning tricks, awesome stunts & crazy spins - drives upside down!

Underwater Metal Detector - National Geographic

Detect precious metals - flashing LED lights & waterproof to 32 feet!

Spy Motion Alarm - Make your Own

Build a fun motion activated alarm - break the beam & sound the alarm.

World Map Pillowcase - Doodle Your Own!

Doodle & color in, then wash & start again - fun geography!

Juggling Balls - Easy to Learn!

Set of 3 vibrant, colorful, squishy juggling balls - easy to learn.

Air Zooka - Blast a Ball of Air up to 20ft!

For pranksters, shoot a harmless ball of air - no hair style is safe!

Night Hawk Scope - See up to 50' in total darkness!

Awesome night vision binoculars with real infrared technology.

Unicorn Poo - Rare, Magical & Sticky!

Mold and throw this mystical poo-sticking to any flat surface.

Neon Effect Message Frame - Lights Up

Create a message or picture, turn on the frame and watch it glow.

Sing-Along Pro - Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone

A bluetooth wireless karaoke speaker built into a microphone.

IQ Stars - 120 Fun Logic Challenges

Can you fit all the stars in the grid? And go from Easy to Expert!

Night Ranger Set - Ultimate Spy Kit

Clever spy gadgets for undercover surveillance - see in the dark!

Dynamic Coins - Now You See Them!

Intriguing tricks with coins that appear, disappear & even shrink!

Fart - Explosive Card Game!

Tasteless card game that's hilarious entertainment, an Eggy Stinker!

Jumbo Octopus Kite - 4 Yards Long

Impressive kite with long & colorful tentacle streamers - brilliant!

Christmas Activity Book

The perfect stocking stuffer - holiday-themed puzzles & activities!

Milk Magic Straws - Cookies & Cream, Delicious!

Taste freshly baked cookies when you drink your milk

As Big As...Height Chart - 190 Wacky Comparisons!

Compare heights with famous people, wild animals & bizarre objects!

Matchstick Puzzles - 50 Logic Challenges

Test yourself with intriguing challenges, riddles & brain teasers.

365 Optical Illusions - Wow your Eyes!

Deceptive eye-boggling images & brain-twisting visual tricks.

Spinning Zzzopa Ball - Bounce it, Spin It, Fidget!

Bouncing ball you can spin on your fingertips - fun fidgety craze!

IQ Puzzler Pro XXL - Jumbo 2D & 3D Brain Teaser

Over 180 multi-level challenges from easy to expert - brilliant fun.

Hogwarts Castle - Harry Potter in 3D

Easy build, superbly detailed 17'' model of Hogwarts with 197 pieces.

Lemelia Mood Light - Color Changing

Stylish design wooden 2.5" light with 7 vibrant colors - Touch Control

USA Map Tablecloth - Doodle Your Own!

Doodle & color in, wash & start again - states, landmarks & animals.

The Human Body - Under X-Ray

Piece together the body puzzle, then solve missions using UV torch.

Fun & Focus Pack - Sensory Genius

Keep hands busy with fun tactile fidgets to squeeze, flip & zip.

Tetris Waffle Maker - Tasty Treats

Make tasty Tetris shaped waffles - delicious gamer treat!

Build a Metal Detector - 35 Piece STEM Set

Build a handheld metal detector with lights & adjustable sensitivity.

Zensu - Game of Stealth & Strategy

Outwit your opponent & steal their pieces in this fun 2-player game!

Pyraminx Duo - Brain Teaser for Beginners!

Make each side one color - twisty puzzle to challenge the brain!

Solar System Crystal Light - 3D Effect

Luxury 4 inch light with an intricate engraving that glows like magic.

Magnetic Levitator - Defies Gravity!

Levitator floats in the air & spins when touched - so intriguing!

Plug & Play Puzzler - Fun Brain Teaser

Logic challenge to test the brain - can you put the cube together?

Polar Panic - Spot & Catch Card Game

Spot matching fish & avoid the polar bear - fast-paced frantic fun!

Eye Opener - Hidden Picture Guessing Game

Fun game with 200 mystery cards - what's behind the opening eye?

Cat-Opoly - Classic Game made Purrfect

Yes, Monopoly for Cat lovers - feline twist sure to make you smile!

World's Smallest RC Helicopter

Awesome 3" RC helicopter with a 10yd range - miniature but mighty!

Rocket Circuit Explorer - Light up

Build 3 light up space models & learn simple circuitry - awesome!

Meerkats - 3D Cardboard Model Kit

Make an adorable 3" meerkat with layers of sturdy cardboard - cute!

Hexbug Beetle - Super Speedy!

High energy 2" micro robotic beetle reacts to touch & sound, cool!

Jacob's Ladder Fidget Toy

Brilliant tumbling toy made of FSC-certified wood - moves like magic!

Silent But Deadly - Silly Card Game

Fast-paced fun, matching colours and fart types - very cheeky!

Push Popper - 5-in-1 Electronic Game

Test your reflexes as you pop the light-up rubber buttons - addictive!

Smart Dog Obstacle Run - Brain Teaser!

Fun canine themed logic game with 60 challenges from easy to expert.

Rebotz - The Wacky Motorized Robot

Build a funny 5 inch robot from 'old' parts, then watch him jump!

Squirrels Go Nuts - 60 Fun Challenges

Slide the squirrels & stash the nuts in this entertaining logic game!

Splendid Spelling - Roald Dahl's Matilda

Trio of fun word games for little bookworms to enjoy - swashboggling!

Phoenix E-Bird - Remote Control with Flapping Wings

Flies like a real bird - perform cool aerial tricks with 90ft range.

Desktop Volcano Lamp - Mood Light

Mini erupting volcano, an inferno of light and color - mesmerising!

Kitchen Science - Fun Experiments at Home

Make a water fountain in a bottle to a clock powered by fruit!

Robo Street Kombat - Gesture Control

Battling robots copy your movements - wacky props & sound effects!

SpokeRimz - Alloy effect for bikes

Make your bike wheels look like real alloy wheels - cool!

Tough Choice To Make?

Frequently asked questions.

Eight year old boys are looking to conquer their next challenge and gifts that help them take their next adventure, expand their horizons, and push boundaries. Whether going exploring with a metal detector, practicing their aim with a target practice game, or building and flying a glider, the best gifts are ones that encourage their imagination, adventuring, and fun. 

Having tested hundreds of toys, games, gifts, and stuff, we know the best gifts for an 8th birthday include fun but active things like the night goggles, things that fly light our gliders or flying saucer, or things that challenge the mind like our many puzzles.

Eight year old boys are complex creatures: they're starting to look like 'big kids', but they're still losing baby teeth! At this age, boys thrive in larger social groups. Their play often involves elaborate games with ongoing storylines, usually with rotating leaders and everyone working together towards a common goal. Sometimes it's re-enacting characters and events from a popular show, and other times it's more low-tech: in the playground economy, how many shiny rocks is a grasshopper worth? It only works if everyone agrees! 

For eight year olds, their peers are more important than ever before. At this age, he'll want to get involved with clubs, teams, and after-school activities. Groups like Scouts or 4H provide a 'mini society' he can visit and experiment with, while still maintaining the safety net of a supportive family back home.  This is also the age of first sleepovers! Sleepovers are exciting, although some boys may secretly be nervous to spend a night away from home. Guarantee a great sleepover experience for every kid with fun activities like DIY slime, board games, and building sets.

Eight is also an important age because it marks the start of their metacognitive development (the ability to reflect on their thoughts). Eight year old boys are slowly growing out of the black-and-white thinking patterns of younger children, and developing more complex thoughts about their inner selves and abilities. Instead of "I'm bad at soccer!", he can now reason "I'm not very good at scoring goals because I can't kick very far, but I can practice it and get better!" Help build his resilience in the face of obstacles. Whether he's interested in art, sports, or books, encourage him to try new things and tackle tough challenges - and be ready with praise when he does!

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My unkle The have unusual toys

Great products, terrific gift ideas, all around good experience to shop at this site.

Great gifting Prices could be slightly more affordable so people don't want to shop elsewhere but what I love is the cards and gift wrapping that's very affordable.

Shipped very fast

Great toys! A wonderful selection of awesome toys. Well curated by age groups. As long as my grandkids are kids, I’ll be back!

Fun gifts It’s easy to order online. Confirmation & shipping details are provided & accurate. Choosing gifts for grandchildren is fun & entertaining as Wicked Uncle offers a selection based on ages & interests.

Great company!! Amazing company! Love using them every year to send gifts to my nephew in the USA. Great choices and very quick delivery. Love their gift wrapping service too. Thank you!!

Great gifts and service I love Wicked Uncle! My grandchildren are so excited to receive gifts from Wicked Uncle.

Easy website to navigate and items were received in a timely manner.

GRd/Kids love this store Fast and efficient. Great options for packaging a quick present without the hassle of shopping and shipping.

Loved the odd gifts, something different, and secured 6 Christmas gifts. :) Website was easy to maneuver and the products arrived in a timely manner and packing was perfect.

Excellent Arrived on time. In good shape.

Good job Great recommendation delivered on time.

Great service Items were delivered on the date promised and were well packaged. The selection of items is great fun!

Love this shop Quality products and prompt service. What else could you want?

Presents Your website does age appropriate gifts which makes it easy to shop. I've used your website for years and never had any problems. Items always arrive on time and are exactly what I ordered.

Top-notch in every respect. I can depend on quick, accurate fulfillment, fast shipping, and a quality product. I have never had a bad experience with Wicked Uncle. As long as ... Read More I have kids in my life, I'll be a customer.

Easy! Excellent! Easy to order, prompt and gift was enjoyed!!

great shipping gift arrived very quickly !

Adult Boomarang The boomerang I ordered for ages 7 -15 was useless. Didn't work Our Response: This is interesting to see, we've sold thousands of this item ... Read More and no one has ever said it didn't work. If you ever have an issue with your order, please contact us right away so we have the opportunity to help. We will reach out directly for more details on your issue.

Good company, great imaginative toys! Ordered toy, received in good amount of time, good service.

Try the edible bubbles! Great innovative toys and activities and they arrive quickly!

Great gifts Love the toys, fast shipping

Great service Easy check out and quick delivery. I live overseas I was buying for my grandson in Denver. I normally go through Amazon but they were unable to deliver ... Read More in time for my grandson’s birthday, unless that is I join their Prime Delivery option which they constantly push and I find that extremely annoying. Wicked Uncle was a breeze.

Perfect way for an uncle to buy gifts. I was able to find pretty quickly 2 get great gifts for my nephew. The gift wrapping looked great. Love the website name!

The best Great gifts Easy to use web site Timely receipt of purchase Perfectly wrapped gifts All in all a great experience

The things I ordered were perfect for my 9 year old grandson. They came promptly and the day they said they would arrive. I love shopping at Wicked Uncle.

Great store!!!! The website makes choosing the perfect age appropriate gift and ships out quickly!!!

Award winning customer service

Wicked Uncle is rated 99 out of 100 for Customer Service based upon 7662 reviews.

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Melissa & Doug Wooden Building Blocks Set - 100 Blocks in 4 Colors and 9 Shapes - FSC Certified

ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run Brain Game and STEM Toy for Boys and Girls Age 8 and Up: Toy of the Year Award Winner

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National Geographic STEM Science Kit - 15+ Experiments, Crystal Growing, Volcano Kit, Dig Kits & Gemstones for Kids - Amazon Exclusive

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4M Green Creativity Pressed Flower Art Kit, Recycle Flowers Art & Crafts DIY Kit, For Boys & Girls Ages 5+

Light-Up Unicorn Terrarium Kit for Kids - Kids Birthday Easter Gifts for Kids - Best Unicorn Toys & Activities Kits Presents - Arts & Crafts for Little Girls & Boys Age 4 5 6 7 8-12 Year Old Girl Gift

hand2mind Colors & Shapes Sensory Pad, Occupational Therapy Toys, Fine Motor Toys, Toddler Sensory Toys, Sensory Water Mat, Sensory Play Therapy Toys, Calming Toys for Kids, Calm Down Corner Supplies

LeapFrog LeapPad Academy Kids’ Learning Tablet, Green

Snap Circuits Classic SC-300 Electronics Exploration Kit | Over 300 Projects | Full Color Manual Parts | STEM Educational Toy for Kids 8+ 2.3 x 13.6 x 19.3 inches

UNGLINGA 50+ Science Lab Experiments Kit for Kids, STEM Activities Educational Scientist Toys Gifts for Boys Girls Chemistry Set, Gemstone, Volcano Eruption

Snap Circuits Beginner, Electronics Exploration Kit, Stem Kit for Ages 5-9 (SCB-20)

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Starter Rock Tumbler Kit - Durable Leak-Proof Rock Polisher for Kids - Complete Rock Tumbling Kit - Geology Hobby Science Kit, Rocks & Crystals for Kids (Amazon Exclusive)

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Ultimate Volcano Kit – Erupting Volcano Science Kit for Kids, 3X More Eruptions, Pop Crystals Create Exciting Sounds, STEM Science & Educational Toys (Amazon Exclusive)

Light-Up Terrarium Kit for Kids - STEM Science Kits - Gifts for Kids - Educational DIY Kids Toys for Boys & Girls - Crafts Projects Ideas for Ages 6 7 8-12 Year Old Age

Advanced Professional Rock Tumbler Kit - with Digital 9-Day Polishing Timer & 3 Speed Settings - Turn Rough Rocks into Beautiful Gems : Great Science & STEM Gift for Kids All Ages : Geology Toy

Learning Resources Gears! Gears! Gears! Robots in Motion Building Set - 116 Pieces, Ages 5+, Robot Toy, STEM Toys for Kids, Robots for Kids

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